TLDR Oral zinc and topical steroids can effectively treat chronic scalp pustules and hair loss in elderly patients.
Erosive pustulosis of the scalp, a rare condition primarily affecting the elderly, often follows local trauma and leads to chronic pustules and scarring alopecia. In three cases (ages 66, 87, and one unspecified), the condition developed after surgical procedures on the scalp. Treatment with oral zinc gluconate and topical steroids resulted in significant improvement, suggesting this combination as a potential therapeutic option for this chronic and often disabling condition.
187 citations
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