Pili torti

Disease Overview

Pili torti is a rare hair condition characterized by fragile hair. In pili torti hair has a flattened shaft with clusters of narrow twists at irregular intervals.[3061] Some cases may be inherited in autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive patterns, while others are acquired.[3061][10286] In the inherited form, symptoms tend to be present from early childhood. It can occur alone or as part of other diseases like ectodermal dysplasias, Menke disease, Bjornstand syndrome, or Bazex syndrome. Acquired cases of pili torti may be associated with anorexia nervosa, malnutrition, oral retinoid treatment, or inflammatory scalp conditions (e.g., cutaneous lupus erythematousus). If pili torti is detected, it is necessary to investigate possible neurological disorders, hearing loss, and defects in the hair, nails, sweat glands and teeth.[3061] There is no specific treatment for this condition, but it may improve spontaneously after puberty.[10286] Click here to visit Medscape and view an image of a child with pili torti.

Synonyms

• Twisted hair
• Coarse, dry, lusterless hair which breaks off easily