Pili multigemini

Pili multigemini, also known as "compound hairs,"<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Andrews">James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. Template:ISBN.</ref><ref name="Bolognia">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref name=":0" />

Treatment

Electrolysis will permanently remove pili multigemini. Depilating laser treatment has been suggested to improve symptomatic pili multigemini.<ref name="Naysmith">Template:Cite journal</ref>

See also

• Pili bifurcati
• List of cutaneous conditions