Pili multigemini
Pili multigemini, also known as "compound hairs,"[2] is a malformation characterized by the presence of bifurcated or multiple divided hair matrices and papillae, giving rise to the formation of multiple hair shafts within the individual follicles.[3][4]
Pili multigemini | |
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Other names | Pili gemini[1] |
An extracted pili multigemini with three distinct hairs growing from the same source. | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Description
The name describes a condition where several separate hair fibers bunch together and emerge from the skin through a single hair canal. The hair looks like a bunch of flower stalks in a vase. Pathology shows that deep in the skin several dermal papilla are closely situated with each producing a fiber, but these separate hair follicle bulbs combine together into one hair canal towards the skin surface. Folliculitis can sometimes be associated with this condition.[2]
Treatment
Electrolysis will permanently remove pili multigemini. Depilating laser treatment has been suggested to improve symptomatic pili multigemini.[5]
See also
- Pili bifurcati
- List of cutaneous conditions
References
- Camacho-Martínez, Francisco (May 2012). "Orphanet: Pili gemini". www.orpha.net. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- McElwee, Kevin J. "pili multigemini". www.keratin.com. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
Pili multigemini hair follicles, also called 'compound hairs', are considered rare although there have been no studies to define the actual frequency in the general population, it is believed to be more common in men’s beards and children’s scalps.
- James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
- Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- Naysmith, L., De Berker, D. and Munro, C.S. (2001), Multigeminate beard hairs and folliculitis. British Journal of Dermatology, 144: 427–428. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04047.x