Spangled Hair in Siblings
January 2009
in “
International Journal of Trichology
”
Studysummary This case report documents a rare association between atopic eczema and pili annulati in two siblings from north India, an unusual finding not previously reported in the literature.
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Two north Indian siblings presented with severe atopic eczema and abnormal scalp hair, diagnosed as pili annulati, a rare non-fragile hair shaft disorder characterized by spangled hair due to banding. The condition is autosomal dominant and involves air-filled cavities in the hair shaft, visible as alternating light and dark bands under polarized microscopy. Pili annulati is not associated with alopecia and does not require treatment as the hair is non-fragile. The association with atopy is extremely rare, and further study of hair shaft abnormalities in atopic children was suggested.