Pili multigemini, also known as "compound hairs,"
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.
[James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). ''Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology''. (10th ed.). Saunders. .]
Description
The name describes a condition where several separate
hair fibers bunch together and emerge from the skin through a single hair canal. Pathology shows that deep in the
skin
Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation.
Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different de ...
several dermal papilla are closely situated with each producing a fiber, but these separate
hair follicle bulbs combine into one hair canal towards the skin surface.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is the infection and inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on hair-covered skin. The rash may appear as pimples that come to white tips on the face, chest, back, arms, legs, buttocks, or head.
...
can sometimes be associated with this condition.
Treatment
Electrolysis will permanently remove pili multigemini.
Depilating laser treatment has been suggested to improve symptomatic pili multigemini.
See also
*
Pili bifurcati
*
List of cutaneous conditions
References
External links
Conditions of the skin appendages
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