Botulinum Toxin A as an Alternative Treatment for Folliculitis Decalvans
March 2023
in “
JAAD case reports
”
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Studysummary In this study, researchers reported that conventional treatments for folliculitis decalvans, which include steroids and antibiotics, are often ineffective, with many patients experiencing frequent recurrences of this scarring scalp disorder.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document presents a case study of a 34-year-old male patient with folliculitis decalvans, a scalp disorder characterized by scarring alopecia and permanent hair loss, who did not respond to conventional treatments such as antibiotics and corticosteroids. The patient was treated with 4 intradermal sessions of 100 IU of botulinum toxin A over a period of 90 days. The patient reported improvement in inflammatory lesions and elimination of itch within a few days, and full remission of the disorder was observed 4 months after initial treatment. The patient's condition was continuously monitored for 5 years, with no relapse of the disease observed during this period. The study suggests that botulinum toxin A could be an effective alternative treatment for folliculitis decalvans, possibly due to its action on the patient’s immune response. However, the exact mechanism behind the healing effect of botulinum toxin A on folliculitis decalvans is still unknown.
