Dermoscopy in Assessing Treatment Response in Tinea Corporis: A Longitudinal Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Tinea corporis is one of the most common clinical variants of dermatophytosis worldwide. Despite its typically straightforward diagnosis, therapeutic challenges and atypical presentations often complicate management. Dermoscopy has emerged as a powerful noninvasive diagnostic tool for multiple dermatological conditions, enabling visualization of sub-surface structures that are not apparent on clinical examination alone. Objective: To evaluate dermoscopic changes in tinea corporis lesions before and after antifungal therapy, establishing dermoscopy as a reliable and practical method for monitoring disease progression and treatment response. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal observational study was conducted on 100 patients with clinically and mycologically confirmed tinea corporis at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Polarized dermoscopic images were obtained at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of follow-up on treatment. We assessed scales, hemorrhagic dots, and background pigmentation using a global assessment scale (GAS). Data were analyzed with SPSS version 18.0, employing the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to evaluate the statistical significance of parameter changes over time. Results: Peripheral scales showed the earliest response to treatment, followed by the resolution of hemorrhagic dots. Background pigmentation was the slowest feature to normalize. GAS scores for each dermoscopic parameter declined significantly from baseline to the final follow-up ( P < 0.05). Dermoscopic evolution closely mirrored clinical improvement, highlighting the technique’s value in guiding therapy. Conclusion: Dermoscopy is a valuable, noninvasive tool for assessing lesion severity and monitoring antifungal response in tinea corporis. Sequential observation of peripheral scales, hemorrhagic dots, and background pigmentation provides an objective measure of disease activity. Incorporating dermoscopy into routine practice can enhance the accuracy of clinical assessment and optimize patient management.
Source: Clinical Dermatology Review
Institutions: Armed Forces Medical College, Command Hospital Air Force
Language: English
Topic: Nail Diseases and Treatments
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7208734331