PILL ANNULATI COINCIDENT WITH ALOPECIA-AREATA

Pili annulati is a rare hair shaft abnormality of unknown pathogenesis which gives a gross beading effect. An association with alopecia area ta has been reported. We present a 13-year-old girl who had alopecia a reata and coincidentally was found to have pill annulati, Her mother a lso had pill annulati which had become more noticeable as her hair had become paler with age. We discuss the possible pathogenesis of pill a nnulati and relate that to the microscopic banding appearance of the h air shaft. We note the relevance of the condition becoming more appare nt with age. We also discuss the probable coincidental association wit h alopecia areata.