Differential diagnosis of the scalp hair folliculitis.

Scalp hair folliculitis was a common dermatological condition that posed diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to the absence of precise guidelines. It could be caused by various infectious agents like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as noninfectious factors. Noninfectious diseases such as folliculitis decalvans capillitii and lichen planopilaris could also present as folliculitis. The classification of folliculitis was complex and controversial, with three main groups identified: infectious folliculitis, noninfectious folliculitis, and perifolliculitis. Diagnosis often required histologic confirmation beyond clinical observation. The article provided a summary of the different inflammatory diseases affecting scalp hair follicles, along with their differential diagnoses and histological characteristics.

Cicatricial alopecia, a form of hair loss resulting from various dermatoses, was studied over a 5-year period involving 36 patients. Conditions such as chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), lichen planus, and folliculitis were identified as causes. Histological analysis showed dermal scarring and reduced hair follicles. The study categorized cicatricial alopecia into lymphocytic, neutrophilic, and mixed groups. Scalp biopsies were essential for diagnosis, and the findings highlighted the need for further research into the causes and treatments of cicatricial alopecia to enhance understanding and management of the condition.