Isolated Body Hair Loss: An Unusual Presentation of Lichen Planopilaris

January 2016 in “ Skin appendage disorders ”

Dâmia Leal Vendramini, Bruno Rebelo Lages da Silveira, Bruna Duque‐Estrada, Ana Letícia Boff, Celso Tavares Sodré, Rodrigo Pirmez

Lichen Planopilaris body hair loss perifollicular erythema scaling biopsy doxycycline topical clobetasol pruritus alopecia LPP hair loss itching clobetasol

TLDR A man with rare Lichen Planopilaris lost body hair, not scalp hair, and treatment stopped itching but didn't regrow hair.

The document reports an unusual case of Lichen Planopilaris (LPP), a rare inflammatory disorder that typically affects the scalp, presenting as isolated body hair loss in a 38-year-old male. The patient experienced progressive hair loss on his limbs over two years, with intense itching preceding the alopecia. Previous treatments with antifungal agents were ineffective. Dermoscopic examination revealed perifollicular erythema and scaling, and a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of LPP. The patient's symptoms of pruritus resolved after treatment with doxycycline and topical clobetasol, but hair regrowth was not observed. The patient chose not to continue treatment but was scheduled for follow-up every three months. This case highlights the need for clinical suspicion of LPP in patients with body hair loss, as the diagnosis can be challenging due to its rarity and the delay in proper diagnosis.

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Research cited in this study

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research Lichen Planopilaris Epidemiology: A Retrospective Study of 80 Cases

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Lichen planopilaris mostly affects women with fair skin and can look different on each person, needing early treatment to prevent hair loss.

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research The Spectrum of Hair Loss in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome

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research Dermoscopic Pattern of Cicatricial Alopecia Caused by Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Lichen Planopilaris

73 citations, April 2010 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

Dermoscopy helps diagnose and monitor treatment for hair loss from scarring conditions like discoid lupus and lichen planopilaris.

research Lichen Planopilaris: Update on Diagnosis and Treatment

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New insights show Lichen Planopilaris is a rare, scarring hair loss condition, hard to treat, mainly affecting middle-aged women, and significantly impacts mental health.

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The study found that steroids and tetracycline helped treat active Lichen planopilaris, and hair transplants were good for later stages.

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community The Worst Hair Loss Condition You (MAY) have: LPP

in Research/Science 43 upvotes 2 months ago

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is an autoimmune condition causing permanent hair loss and fibrosis, often misdiagnosed. Treatments include pioglitazone, topical corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medication, and Jak inhibitors.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community A hill on which I will die: The DHT itch absolutely exists

in Research/Science 209 upvotes 6 months ago

The DHT itch is linked to hair loss and persists despite finasteride use; switching to dutasteride helped alleviate the itch and promoted regrowth. Some users suggest seborrheic dermatitis as a cause and recommend treatments like medicated shampoos, vitamin D, and minoxidil.

community I’m 14 years old and I’m losing more hair than my dad. I’ve gone to the doctor 2 times because of this and I’ve received no help. I’m starting to feel like It’s worthless and my hairs gonna look like this forever. I don’t know how anyone could help me but it’s always worth a shot.

in Treatment 4 years ago

A 14 year old who is experiencing hair loss and has not received any help from the doctor, with advice being given to try different doctors, get tested for underlying conditions and intolerances, buzz it short as an option and treatments that could slow down or reverse the hair loss such as minoxidil, finasteride, RU58841 and addressing the cause of the hair loss.

community 5mg oral minoxidil + 100mg Spironolactone

in Progress Pictures 10 upvotes 11 months ago

A user shared progress pictures using 5mg oral minoxidil and 100mg spironolactone, noting increased body hair and faster nail growth. Another user humorously suggested a new sub for people with similar experiences.

community C’est terrible - at my wits end

in Female 443 upvotes 1 year ago

A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

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