Dermoscopic characteristics of cutaneous larva migrans in dark skin: a study from Banjul, The Gambia.

This article focuses on the dermoscopic features of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), a skin infestation caused by hookworm larvae (Ancylostoma braziliense or Ancylostoma caninum), in dark-skinned patients from Sub-Saharan Africa. The study examined nine patients with Fitzpatrick skin types V–VI and identified characteristic serpiginous, structureless areas displaying various colors, predominantly yellow, along with peripheral white scales and brown dots; vascular features commonly seen in lighter skin were notably absent. These findings highlight distinct reactive patterns and pigmentary changes in darker skin, emphasizing the importance of dermoscopy for accurate diagnosis and differentiation of CLM from similar dermatoses in individuals with skin of color. The research addresses a gap in the literature by providing dermoscopic data specific to darker-skinned populations, which may improve clinical recognition and management of CLM in these groups.