Pili multigemini

Pili multigemini
Other names	Pili gemini[1]
An extracted pilus multigeminus with three distinct hairs growing from the same source.
Specialty	Dermatology

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]

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 several dermal papillae are closely situated with each producing a fiber, but these separate hair follicle bulbs combine 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

1. Camacho-Martínez, Francisco (May 2012). "Orphanet: Pili gemini". www.orpha.net. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
2. 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.
3. James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
4. Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
5. Naysmith L., De Berker D., Munro C.S. (2001). "Multigeminate beard hairs and folliculitis". British Journal of Dermatology. 144 (2): 427–428. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04047.x. PMID 11251593. S2CID 35605381.

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