Persistent Elongated Corkscrew Hairs: A Potential New Trichoscopic Indicator in Endothrix Tinea Capitis in Immunocompromised Adults
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By
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Asmahane Souissi
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Raquel de Melo Carvalho
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Malek Ben Slimane
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Mohammad Jafferany
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Daniel Fernandes Melo
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August 28, 2026
Objective:
To report the observation of persistently elongated corkscrew hairs in two immunosuppressed patients with endothrix tinea capitis.
Approach:
- Trichoscopic Examination: Polarized dermoscopy was applied to the entire scalp of two patients to document characteristic trichoscopic findings.
Key Findings:
- Both patients exhibited persistently elongated corkscrew hairs, a morphology not previously characterized in the context of tinea capitis.
- The fungal infection was confirmed to be caused by Trichophyton violaceum in both cases.
- Standard short corkscrew hairs were not observed in either patient.
Limitations:
- The findings are based on only two case reports, necessitating further investigation to confirm the observations.
- No standardized measurement for the length of typical corkscrew hairs exists, making it difficult to define elongated corkscrew hairs quantitatively.
