Study of involvement of terminal and vellus hair follicle in dermatophytic infections

Aim To study the involvement of terminal and vellus hair follicle in dermatophytic infections. Objectives Methodology A 4mm punch biopsy was collected from the active border involving the hairy part of the skin and stained with Hematyoxylin and Eosin and Periodic acid schiff stain . Hair follicle portions were examined to check if there are any fungal elements in the follicle. Result It was found that there was correlation between duration of disease and involvement of hair follicle. Conclusion Chronicity is associated with hair follicle involvement, requiring longer duration of oral Antifungals for complete clearance of infection.