Scarring hair loss

Scarring hair loss, also known as Cicatricial alopecia, is a type of hair loss that results in scarring, where scarred areas will not regrow hair. This type of hair loss can have various causes, including inflammatory skin conditions, skin disorders, genetic disorders, and infections.

Causes

Scarring hair loss can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Lichen planopilaris: This is a rare inflammatory condition that results in patchy hair loss, mainly on the scalp.
• Discoid lupus erythematosus: This is a skin condition that can cause scarring hair loss.
• Folliculitis decalvans: This is an inflammatory disorder that leads to the destruction of hair follicles, leading to scarring and hair loss.
• Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: This is a common cause of scarring hair loss in women of African descent.

Symptoms

The symptoms of scarring hair loss may include:

• Hair loss that gradually occurs in patches
• Scarring on the scalp
• Itching or pain on the scalp
• Redness or inflammation on the scalp

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of scarring hair loss is usually made by a dermatologist, who may perform a scalp biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Other tests may include blood tests to check for underlying conditions that may be causing the hair loss.

Treatment

Treatment for scarring hair loss aims to halt the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms. This may include:

• Topical corticosteroids: These can help reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease.
• Antibiotics: These can help treat underlying infections that may be causing the hair loss.
• Hair transplantation: In some cases, hair transplantation may be an option to restore hair in scarred areas.

See also

• Alopecia areata
• Androgenetic alopecia
• Telogen effluvium