Diagnostic Challenges and Treatment Strategies in Neutrophilic Cicatricial Alopecias: A Narrative Review from Conventional Therapies to New Therapeutic Targets

    May 2026 in “ Life ”
    Francesca Svara, Giulio Bortone, Luca Ambrosio … Carmen Cantisani
    Studysummary This review outlines current treatments for folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, noting conventional therapies' limitations and promising but limited results from targeted biologic agents.
    Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
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    Research cited in this study 26

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    2. A Systematic Review of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Blockers, Anti-Interleukins, and Small Molecule Inhibitors for Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp Treatment Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases · 2025
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    4. Management of Folliculitis Decalvans: The EADV Task Force on Hair Diseases Position Statement Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2025
    5. A Three-Step Diagnostic Algorithm for Alopecia: Pattern Analysis in Trichoscopy Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2025
    6. Folliculitis Decalvans: An Uncommon Case Report with Review of Literature International Journal of Applied and Basic Medical Research · 2025
    7. Carbon-Dioxide Laser-Associated PDT Treatment of Folliculitis Decalvans International Journal of Dermatology · 2024
    8. Clinical Characterization and Treatment Response of Folliculitis Decalvans Lichen Planopilaris Phenotypic Spectrum: A Retrospective Series of 31 Patients Acta dermato-venereologica · 2024
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    11. Treatment Modalities for Lymphocytic and Neutrophilic Scarring Alopecia Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology · 2023
    12. Refractory Folliculitis Decalvans Treated With Adalimumab: A Case Series of 23 Patients Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2022
    13. Scarring Alopecias: Pathology and an Update on Digital Developments Biomedicines · 2021
    14. Topical Dapsone for Folliculitis Decalvans: A Retrospective Cohort Study Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2021
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    19. Isotretinoin Treatment for Folliculitis Decalvans: A Retrospective Case-Series Study International Journal of Dermatology · 2018
    20. Systemic Photodynamic Therapy in Folliculitis Decalvans Clinical and Experimental Dermatology · 2017
    21. Primary Scarring Alopecia: Clinical-Pathological Review of 72 Cases and Literature Review Skin appendage disorders · 2017
    22. Primary Cicatricial Alopecia Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology · 2016
    23. Oral Isotretinoin as the Most Effective Treatment in Folliculitis Decalvans: A Retrospective Comparison of Different Treatment Regimens in 28 Patients Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2015
    24. Folliculitis Decalvans: A Multicenter Review of 82 Patients Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2015
    25. Dermoscopy-Guided Scalp Biopsy in Cicatricial Alopecia Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · 2012
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