EVALUATION OF CLINICAL, DERMOSCOPIC, AND MYCOLOGICAL PATTERNS OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS IN CHILDREN

Dermatophytosis is prevalent as an epidemic in our country and its menace is growing day by day. There has been an increased incidence and prevalence along with a change in the spectrum of isolates since the past decade. Children are particularly susceptible to dermatophytic infections due to their comparatively lower immunity and other factors like poor personal hygiene habits, lack of health awareness and poor environmental sanitation.Very few studies were available globally and in India, and those studies were done only on clinical and mycological features but not about the dermoscopic findings of dermatophytosis in children. This study is inclined towards the identification of the morphology of lesions, the prevalence of species of the isolated causative dermatophytes among children in our area, and the observation of dermoscopic findings in different clinical morphological patterns and species. So, this study will add value to the early diagnosis and management of dermatophytosis in children.