Alternative uses of dermoscopy in general dermatology

<p>Over the last few years, dermoscopy has been shown to be an effective diagnostic tool in assisting the noninvasive diagnosis not only of skin tumors but also of various general dermatological disorders. The use of dermoscopy has offered a new morphological dimension supporting the diagnosis and clinical follow-up of several dermatological conditions. Within the last years, dermoscopy is gaining ground in general dermatology as well. Among the large spectrum of skin infections, specific dermoscopic patterns have been described for common skin infections such as viral warts, molluscum contagiosum, scabies, and pediculosis, as well as for tinea nigra, tungiasis, and cutaneous larva migrans. Also, common skin disorders such as psoriasis, pityriasis rosea or lichen planus show characteristic dermoscopic patterns. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the use of dermoscopy in general dermatology by analyzing the dermoscopic differential diagnosis of relatively common dermatological   disorders grouped according to their clinical characteristics.</p>