In inflammatory and infectious diseases, the main histopathologic alterations are usually not associated with pigment, but include cellular infiltrations, vascular structures and alterations of the thickness or the anatomy of the epidermis. Therefore, the selection of an equipment that preserves vessels’ morphology and enhances their optimal visualization is much more crucial when evaluating skin eruptions than tumors. The non-polarized hand-held dermatoscopes require direct contact of the optical lens to the skin surface, which may result in alteration of the morphology, or even disappearance, of the underlying vascular structures. The polarized hand-held dermatoscopes, not requiring contact to the skin, offers a better projection of vascular structures and allows the visualisation of white shiny structures, which are hardly, or not at all, seen with non-polarized light. In conclusion, we strongly advice the use of non-contact polarised dermatoscopes when applying dermoscopy in general dermatology.
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