A case of `creeping hair' resembling cutaneous larva migrans

Unilateral migratory linear plantar erythema

“…Given the plantar location in the present case, one may assume that the hair entered the skin from the outside; hence, the foreign body was located in the epidermis and visible as a dark line [1][2][3][4]. Removal with forceps was without complications and confirmed the diagnosis of pilus migrans.…”

“…While larva migrans is often characterized by distinctly inflammatory and intensely pruritic lesions, pilus migrans may be asymptomatic or, as in the present case, associated with mild pain [1][2][3][4]15]. Caused by a hookworm infection (predominantly Ancylostoma braziliense), the latter is common in the tropics, yet also frequently seen as "holiday souvenir" in Germany.…”

Cutaneous Pili Migrans

“…It is characterized by a creeping eruption with black-line like hair mimicking cutaneous larva migrans1. Removal of the black hair shaft heals the lesion completely2,3. Herein, we report a case of cutaneous pili migrans with the clinical and histopathological findings.…”

“…Since 1957, 26 cases of cutaneous pili migrans have been described by using various terms such as burrowing hair, creeping hair, migrating hair, embedded hair, and bristle migrans1,2,3,4. Various locations have been reported, including the ankle, sole, toe, breast, cheek, neck, jaw, and abdomen.…”

“…In the present case, only a hair shaft or a fragment was noted without any hair follicles. This is thought to be attributed to the hair shaft penetrating the epidermis owing to friction3. Franbourg et al5 reported that Asian hair has high tensile strength and the largest cross-sectional area compared with that of all other ethnic groups.…”