Rare Hair Disorders: Ringed Hair

Just as there are many reasons for hair loss, there are also many conditions which result in abnormal hair growth. In general, the less common a specific condition, the fewer the resources and information related to the disease. Moreover there are a plethora of examples of these rare hair disorders, including pili annulati.

Pili annulati is a rare hair disorder also known as ringed hair, after the cosmetic appearance of the condition. During progression of pili annulati, as the hair strand grows, abnormal spaces are created¹. Light reflects off of these spaces differently than properly formed portions of hair, making affected areas appear a different colour¹. The final result is alternating light and dark sections along the hair strand, generating the ringed appearance¹.

Pili annulati is generally restricted to scalp hair and leads to slower hair growth², although fragility does not seem to be an issue¹. It is a genetic disorder which can be inherited³ and is more noticeable in individuals with lighter hair. Therefore although the condition is present from infancy, it becomes more evident in later years as the hair whitens¹. A coincidental link to other hair disorders such as alopecia areata has also been established^1,4,5.

Fortunately, treatment is fairly simple and strait forward. The ringed look can be masked with appropriately coloured hair dye and is thus an effective treatment¹. In one documented case, therapy with traditional minoxidil and systemic steroids led to a disruption in the condition and resulted in regrowth of normal hair⁵.

Overall, although rare, pili annulati is one more cause for abnormal hair growth.

Article by: Dr. J.L. Carviel, PhD, Mediprobe Research Inc.

References

1. Moffitt DL, Lear JT, de Berker DA, Peachey RD. Pili annulati coincident with alopecia areata. Pediatr Dermatol 1998;15:271–3.
2. Dawber R. Investigations of a family with pili annulati associated with blue naevi. Trans St Johns Hosp Dermatol Soc 1972;58:51–8.
3. Selvåg E. [Structural abnormalities of the hair shaft]. Tidsskr Den Nor Lægeforen Tidsskr Prakt Med Ny Række 1996;116:965–7.
4. Price VH, Thomas RS, Jones FT. Pili annulati. Optical and electron microscopic studies. Arch Dermatol 1968;98:640–7.
5. Smith SR, Kirkpatrick RC, Kerr JH, Mezebich D. Alopecia areata in a patient with pili annulati. J Am Acad Dermatol 1995;32:816–8.

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