Cicatricial Alopecias: Diagnosis and Treatment Complexities

July 2012 in “ Springer eBooks ”

Yolanda M. Lenzy, Amy J. McMichael

Studysummary The document concludes that more research is needed to better understand and treat scarring hair loss conditions.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document from 2012 addresses the complexity of diagnosing and treating cicatricial alopecias, a group of disorders characterized by scarring hair loss. It outlines the North American Hair Research Society's classification of primary cicatricial alopecias and discusses the clinical features and treatment options for specific types such as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) and lichen planopilaris (LPP). Treatments range from topical and intralesional steroids to systemic agents like hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and mycophenolate mofetil, with minoxidil suggested as an adjuvant therapy. Hair transplantation is considered for stable disease. The document also addresses the treatment of related conditions such as chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (DLE), dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS), and folliculitis decalvans (FD), recommending a therapeutic ladder approach. It concludes with a call for more research to improve the understanding and management of these challenging conditions.

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research Use of an 800-nm Pulsed-Diode Laser in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp

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