What Is Microbiology - Black Piedra

​Black Piedra

Black piedra is characterized by brown, black hard nodules on the hair shaft. Black piedra is caused by Piedraia hortae which infect the scalp of the hair. The mode of transmission may include sharing hair brushes and combs.

Black piedra may be detected as dark pigmented nodules with dark septate hyphae on shaft of the hair while examining the hairs under direct microscopic examination in a potassium hydroxide preparation. 

The treatment of black piedra may include maintaing excellent personal hygiene and shaving the affected hair.