Hair Glossary

Piedra is an infectious hair disease caused by a fungus which is also known as Trichosporosis.

The disease causes the formation of nodules on the hair shaft. 

The types include:
White Piedra (Trichosporon)
Black Piedra IPiedraia hortae)

White piedra (or tinea blanca) is a mycosis of the hair caused by several species of fungi in the genus Trichosporon. It is characterized by soft nodules composed of yeast cells and arthroconidia that encompass hair shafts.

White piedra can occur on the hair of the scalp; Trichosporon ovoides is likely the cause in this case. This type of fungal infection of the hair shaft used to be rarely reported in the United States, but it is becoming more common, especially in the Northeastern parts of the US.

White piedra on scalp hair is rarely caused by Trichosporon inkin; pubic hair with white piedra is what T. inkin is mainly associated with.

White piedra can occur on pubic hair; T. inkin likely causes this.

Trichosporon beigelii

There are several approaches to treating this infectious disease. One approach involves shaving the affected areas. Another approach involves the use of antifungal medication.