EVALUATING THE DERMOSCOPIC FEATURES AND CLINICAL FINDINGS OF T1 AFFECTING THE FACE AND TOPICAL STEROID-DAMAGED FACE

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytosis is quite common in India due to resistant and stubborn infections. TI (tinea incognito) is
a modified type of dermatophytosis caused by unintentional topical steroid usage. TSDF (topical steroid-damaged face)
is also caused by long-term topical steroid usage. In face-affected situations, it is difficult to distinguish between TSDF
and TI. Dermoscopy can assist differentiate between the two by displaying their distinguishing characteristics.
Aim: The current study sought to evaluate the dermoscopic and clinical characteristics of tinea incognito affecting the
face, as well as the face that had been injured by topical steroids. The study also found that tinea incognito affected the
eyelids rather than the face, which had been injured by topical steroids.
Methods: A total of 160 patients, 54 male and 106 female, were evaluated for evidence of tinea incognito or topical
steroid injury to the face. Demographic information was collected from all of the enrolled participants. Subjects who had
used tinea incognito or combo cream were eventually included in the trial. The study employed a portable dermoscope
with a 10X magnification and a potassium hydroxide mount to confirm the tinea incognito diagnosis.
Results: Out of 160 research patients, 106 were female and 54 were male, with an average application duration of
8.23±6.8 months. Burning sensation, scaling, erythema, and pruritus were common clinical characteristics observed in
research participants. Tinea incognito caused eyelid involvement, but not in the face affected by topical steroids. On
dermoscopic examination, morphological aspects were dominating in tinea incognito, whereas vascular signs
predominated in the topical steroid-damaged face and white rosettes.