A Man with an Unusual Foreign Body

Hidden Agony: Foot Pain Linked to Pet Hair Splinter

“…In a general sense, cutaneous pili migrans are a rare dermatological condition characterized by embedding a hair or hair fragment in the epidermis or dermis [ 5 , 6 ]. When the hair penetrates a skin layer, it can migrate within this layer, leading to a progressive, serpiginous eruption that mimics cutaneous larva migrans [ 2 ]. This corresponds to the initial description of this entity by Yaffee in 1957 [ 7 ].…”

“…Diagnosis is usually clinical, based on observing a structure resembling a hair embedded in the skin, sometimes with erythema at the leading edge [ 2 , 4 ]. If there are doubts, dermoscopy can be used, which typically reveals a fine, superficial, mobile black line [ 1 , 6 , 8 ].…”

“…Cutaneous pili migrans is a rare dermatosis, with approximately 52 cases published to date [ 1 ]. It is characterized by the embedding of a hair, of human or animal origin, in the skin and its subsequent migration within the skin, resulting in an eruption that may resemble cutaneous larva migrans [ 1 , 2 ]. In its initial stage, before migration, it is sometimes referred to as a hair splinter [ 3 ].…”

“…It typically occurs in young men and individuals in contact with animals or cut hair, such as hairdressers [ 1 , 4 ]. Clinically, it tends to produce a painful or asymptomatic dermatosis that, upon physical examination, reveals the embedded hair with erythema at the advancing edge [ 2 , 4 ]. We present the case of a 28-year-old male with a hair splinter in his fifth toe, who was in contact with a dog that was recently shedding.…”