Ultraviolet-induced fluorescence dermatoscopy facilitates the diagnosis of terra firma-forme dermatosis

Terra firma-forme dermatosis (TFFD) is a benign, underdiagnosed, pigmentation disorder presenting with brownish scales resembling dirty skin. The lesions are resistant to washing with common soaps and may be removed with 70% alcohol rub, which also constitutes the diagnostic test of TFFD, referred to as the Skin Modified by Alcohol Rubbing Test (SMART). The article presents a case of a 16-year-old boy, in whom TFFD was diagnosed during a routine nevi check-up using ultraviolet-induced fluorescence dermatoscopy (UVFD). Furthermore, the paper discusses the clinical utility of UVFD in the diagnostic process and treatment assessment.