Monilethrix, Keratosis Pilaris - DermAtlas

Contributor

Bernard Cohen, MD

Diagnosis

monilethrix keratosis pilaris

Body Site

scalp

Age

13 years

Pigmentation

light

Organization

Color

Morphology

papulosquamous (bump, scale)

Pattern

Comments

This healthy adolescent developed scaly follicular papules on the scalp associated with short studdy broken hairs by 4 months of age. She has never needed a haircut, and pruritus is occasionally severe. Microscopic examination of the hair shafts shows the characteristic beaded appearance caused by variation in hair shaft thickness. This leads to internodal fragility, breakage, and variable alopecia. Treatment with topical retinoids improved the inflammation associated with keratosis pilaris resulting in a slight increase in hair length.

Description

short broken hairs with follicular scaly papules

Image Added

9/30/2001 18:31:26

Translate

Other Resources

PubMed Medline Plus Medscape

Image Options

View Image in New Window