Cutaneous pili migrans: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The broken epidermis may be one of the main reasons for the hair shaft entering the skin. The force of body motion caused movement, which was made easier by the sharp head of the hair shaft. Hair can produce an eruption reminiscent of cutaneous larva migrans.

Unilateral migratory linear plantar erythema

“…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.…”

“…In 12 out of 14 cases of ingrown hairs reported in Japan, the lesions occurred on the cheeks, neck, chest, and in the genital area [1][2][3]. In such cases, the hair shaft is located subepidermally, and therefore not readily visible.…”

“…Since the first documented case of pilus migrans in 1957, 26 additional reports have been published [1][2][3][4][5][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], with patient age ranging from 15 months to 58 years, and 16 patients, including ours, being male [3,12].…”

A new site of cutaneous pili migrans in a 6-month-old infant

“…Among them, 5 were children with CPM locating at their soles. [1][2][3][4] Herein, we describe a Chinese 6-month-old infant whose lesion was situated in the posterior aspect of left leg.…”

Cutaneous Pili Migrans

“…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.…”