Acne Keloidalis and Folliculitis Keloidalis
September 2021
in “
CRC Press eBooks
”
acne keloidalis acne keloidalis nuchae folliculitis keloidalis alopecia chronic follicular papules keloid-like scars permanent alopecia follicular irritation inflammation follicular destruction hypertrophic scarring metabolic syndrome chronic infection erythematous papules sclerotic plaques nodules cicatricial alopecia androgenetic alopecia central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia folliculitis decalvans AKN keloid scars hair loss scarring red papules scar plaques hairless scars male pattern baldness scarring alopecia
Studysummary This article discusses the characteristics and pathogenesis of acne keloidalis nuchae among men with coarse curly hair, reviewing its association with factors like chronic inflammation and potential roles for metabolic syndrome and infection. It reports no new results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
Acne keloidalis/acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN), also known as folliculitis keloidalis, is a type of alopecia that primarily affects men of African, African American, and Afro-Caribbean origin with coarse curly hair. It is characterized by chronic follicular papules mainly on the occipital scalp and neck that evolve into keloid-like scars and permanent alopecia. The condition is believed to be caused by chronic local mechanical irritation to the nuchal and occipital area, leading to follicular irritation, inflammation, follicular destruction, and abnormal hypertrophic scarring. Metabolic syndrome (present in 61% of patients in a recent study) and chronic infection may play a secondary role in the pathogenesis. Early lesions are characterized by flesh-colored or erythematous papules, while late lesions result in sclerotic plaques, nodules, and hairless cicatricial alopecia. Other conditions like androgenetic alopecia, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, and folliculitis decalvans have been reported in association with AKN.
