BLACK AND WHITE PIEDRA
	Piedra are superficial infections of the hair shaft. Piedra = spanish = stone due to the hard nodules made by the mycelia.
	BLACK PIEDRA ORGANISM Caused by Piedraia hortae, and affects mainly the scalp hair. Causes black nodules on the hair shaft	WHITE PIEDRA ORGANISM Caused by Trichosporon beigelii, Affecting beard and mustache hair. Forms light coloured nodules on the hair of the beard, mustache and pubic hair
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	TRANSMISSION epidemics noted via sharing of combs and hairbrushes
	INCIDENCE AND GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION affects mainly young adults found worldwide most common in tropics and subtropics
	DIAGNOSIS examination of epilated hair shows the mycelial nodules microscope examination in KOH colonies can be grown on hair in agar
	TREATMENT AND PREVENTION Shave the hair or cut it short (not favourable for women) Topical application of imidazoles may prevent reinfection Piedra hortae is sensitive to terbinafine
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