pili torti (twisted hairs)

Etiology

• Bjoernstad syndrome
• Menke disease
• ectodermal dysplasia
• Bazex syndrome
• acquired forms
  • oral retinoids
  • anorexia nervosa
  • malnutrition
  • cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Clinical manifestations

• hair shafts are flattened at irregular intervals & twisted 180 degrees from the normal axis, making the hair extremely brittle
• usually recognized early in childhood

Management

• treat or stop offending etiology (if feasible)
• satin pillowcase
• avoid excessive grooming, braiding, heat treatments, dying & coloring of hair
• reduce exposure to sunlight (wear a hat)
• use gentle shampoos

More general terms

• hair disease