A Case of Folliculitis Decalvans With Concomitant Acne Keloidalis Nuchae, Androgenic Alopecia, and Profound Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
April 2019
in “
Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association
”
Studysummary This article reviews the characteristics, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies for folliculitis decalvans, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and treatment to mitigate hair loss, but reports no new clinical results.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In 2019, a case study was conducted on a 37-year-old African American man with a history of androgenic alopecia and acne keloidalis nuchae, who was diagnosed with folliculitis decalvans, a chronic disease causing severe hair loss and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. The disease, which is not fully understood, likely involves an inflammatory response to Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was treated with oral antibiotics, reducing inflammation and bacterial load. The study emphasized the importance of early recognition and treatment to limit irreversible hair loss. Various treatments were mentioned, but their efficacy varied or they were used in limited cases. Surgical hair transplants were discouraged unless the patient had been disease-free for several years. Long-term management involved tapering oral antibiotics to the lowest dose that maintains remission and avoiding caps and wigs, which can harbor Staphylococcus aureus.
