Traumatic anserine folliculosis and comedones: The role of dermoscopy in differentiation

Abstract

Traumatic anserine folliculosis (TAF) is an under-recognized and under-reported entity that is commonly mistaken as comedonal acne. It is seen in children and young adults and friction has been implicated as a probable factor in its causation. As face is the commonest site, biopsy may not be a feasible diagnostic option. Dermoscopy proves to be a reliable non-invasive diagnostic tool to differentiate these two disorders. In this article, we describe the dermoscopic features of TAF in three patients and also attempt to highlight the clinical and dermoscopic distinction between TAF and comedonal acne.