TLDR Tirzepatide improved symptoms and hair regrowth in a man with folliculitis decalvans.
This case report details a man in his 40s with a long-standing history of recalcitrant folliculitis decalvans (FD), who showed significant improvement in symptoms and hair regrowth after using tirzepatide for weight management. Previously ineffective treatments had failed to alleviate his condition, but tirzepatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, led to reduced pain, drainage, and flares, along with notable hair regrowth. These results suggest that tirzepatide may have beneficial anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects for managing FD, indicating the need for further research into the therapeutic potential of GLP-1 agonists for FD and similar inflammatory skin conditions.
May 2024 in “International Journal of Dermatology” More research is needed to understand if GLP-1 agonists affect hair health.
112 citations,
July 2008 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Folliculitis decalvans is a rare scalp condition causing scarring hair loss, treated with long-term antibiotics and other medications, but it often comes back and is hard to manage.
68 citations,
February 2015 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Early onset and pustules indicate severe hair follicle inflammation, and while antibiotics help, the condition often worsens after treatment stops.
43 citations,
January 2015 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Most patients improved with oral antibiotics, but some needed long-term treatment or had minimal response.
41 citations,
June 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some treatments for folliculitis decalvans work well, with tetracyclines and a mix of rifampicin and clindamycin being most effective.
40 citations,
August 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Clindamycin and rifampicin are the most effective treatments for folliculitis decalvans, but more research is needed.
