Frontal fibrosing alopecia

From WikiMD.com - Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Dr.Prab.jpg

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Frontal fibrosing alopecia
Frontal fibrosing alopecia
Synonyms FFA
Pronounce N/A
Specialty Dermatology
Symptoms Hair loss at the front of the scalp, eyebrow loss
Complications N/A
Onset Typically post-menopausal women
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Unknown, possibly autoimmune disease
Risks Post-menopausal status, genetic predisposition
Diagnosis Clinical diagnosis, biopsy
Differential diagnosis Alopecia areata, Lichen planopilaris
Prevention N/A
Treatment Topical corticosteroids, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, antimalarials
Medication N/A
Prognosis Variable, often progressive
Frequency Increasingly recognized, exact prevalence unknown
Deaths N/A


Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a type of hair loss that affects the front of the scalp. It is a scarring form of alopecia, which means it can cause permanent hair loss.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The exact cause of FFA is unknown, but it is thought to be related to the immune system attacking the hair follicles. Some researchers believe that it may be triggered by hormonal changes, particularly those associated with menopause.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The main symptom of FFA is a band of hair loss that extends across the front of the scalp. This can be accompanied by redness, itching, and scaling of the skin. In some cases, the eyebrows, eyelashes, and other body hair may also be affected.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of FFA is usually based on the characteristic appearance of the hair loss. A biopsy of the affected skin may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of hair loss.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for FFA aims to slow the progression of the hair loss. This can involve the use of medications such as corticosteroids, minoxidil, and finasteride. In some cases, a procedure called hair transplantation may be considered.

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

The prognosis for FFA varies. Some people may experience a slow progression of the hair loss over many years, while others may lose their hair more quickly. Once the hair has been lost, it is unlikely to regrow.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

WHO Rod.svg
This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD