Comments on the article: "Update on therapy for superfi cial mycoses: review article part I"*

1) Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens, currently called dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, is classifi ed as primary scarring alopecia since the 2000 consensus statement. Recent publications do not associate this condition with fungal colonization. 2 The 2013 paper “What’s new in cicatricial alopecia?” indicates an infl ammatory process that attacks and destroys the stem cells of hair follicles as the cause of this primary alopecia.3 Tchernev has described a disordered keratinization which leads to the occlusion and accumulation of keratin at the hair follicle, followed by its dilation and rupture as its main cause. This is justifi ed not only by the induction of a granulomatous infl ammatory process accompanied by the attraction of gigantic cells, partially phagocyting the keratin masses, but also by an infl ammatory bacterial process derived from a superinfection, most frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis (which are considered to be the main factors in the chemotaxis of neutrophils).4 This alopecia is irreversible even with appropriate therapy, due to the partial or complete destruction of the hair follicle caused by neutrophil infi ltration and infi ltration of giant cells. The association with other skin diseases resulting from follicular occlusion, such as hidradenitis suppurativa and acne conglobata suggests a common pathogenic mechanism based on follicular retention. 2) The black dots clinically observed in tinea capitis correspond to the comma or spiral-shaped hair seen in dermoscopy, rarely presenting as exclamation mark hair, a feature more suggestive of alopecia areata.5