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Pili
multigemini
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.
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.
There is very little information published on the treatment of
pili multigemini. Plucking the hair seems to be very difficult as
the hair fibers are deep rooted and difficult to extract, plus it
does not stop the hair growth anyway. Shaving the hair may stop
any associated folliculitis and electrolysis has been suggested
for permanent hair removal, but no studies have been published to
show how effective shaving or electrolysis would be. Cryosurgery
has been suggested to remove the follicle(s) entirely.
Pili
multigemini references
- Schoenlaub
P, Hacquin P, Roguedas A, Leroy J, Plantin P. [Pili multigemini:
a pilar dysplasia with linear disposition]. Ann Dermatol Venereol.
2000 Feb;127(2):205-7.
- Mehregan
AH, Thompson WS. Pili multigemini. Report of a case in association
with cleidocranial dysostosis. Br J Dermatol. 1979 Mar;100(3):315-22.
- Cambiaghi S, Barbareschi M, Cambiaghi G,
Caputo R. Scanning electron microscopy in the diagnosis of pili
multigemini. Acta Derm Venereol. 1995 Mar;75(2):170-1.
- Pinkus H. Multiple hairs (Flemming-Giovannini)
J Invest Dermatol. 1951;17:291-7.
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