TLDR KFSD is a rare condition causing scarring hair loss, with no effective treatment known at the time of the report.
In 1983, Rhonda Rand, MD, and Howard P. Baden, MD, reported on two cases of keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD), a rare condition that starts with keratosis pilaris in infancy and leads to scarring hair loss on the scalp and eyebrows by childhood or early teenage years. The 19-year-old male and 22-year-old female patients both had progressive scalp alopecia and a history of keratosis pilaris, but treatments including topical steroids and vitamin A were ineffective. The authors proposed that KFSD is part of a spectrum of disorders called "KPA," characterized by follicular hyperkeratosis and scarring, with KFSD affecting only the follicle. They suggested that since the disorders may be related to keratinization of the hair follicle, a trial with a new synthetic retinoid could be beneficial, although no effective therapy was known at the time. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
90 citations,
June 2006 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology” The document concludes that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires careful examination of hair and scalp tissue, considering both clinical and microscopic features.
18 citations,
October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are key for managing rare scalp disorders that cause permanent hair loss.
23 citations,
April 2018 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Permanent hair loss from cicatricial alopecia is treated by reducing inflammation and managing symptoms, but regrowth in scarred areas is unlikely.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” Understanding normal hair growth and loss in children is key to diagnosing and treating hair disorders.
30 citations,
May 2004 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” The document concludes that early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for children with hair loss to prevent permanent damage, although not all conditions can be effectively treated.
January 2022 in “Clinical dermatology review” A girl with a rare skin condition called Keratosis Follicularis Spinulosa Decalvans showed no significant improvement with treatment.
