TLDR Most patients improved with oral antibiotics, but some needed long-term treatment or had minimal response.
The retrospective review of 23 patients with folliculitis decalvans (FD) from 1998 to 2012 revealed that initial treatments primarily included intralesional triamcinolone acetonide, clobetasol lotion, and antibiotics such as cephalexin, minocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline. Alternative treatments included rifampicin, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, and isotretinoin. More than half of the patients achieved remission within weeks to months, with a low relapse rate. However, patients with poor response experienced temporary improvements and multiple relapses. The study concluded that most patients showed improvement and remission with oral antibiotics, although some required years of slow tapering before discontinuation, and a few had minimal response to both initial and alternative treatments.
27 citations,
July 2013 in “Journal of dermatological treatment” Laser therapy may effectively treat persistent scalp inflammation.
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April 1994 in “Archives of dermatology” The study found that Keratosis Pilaris Atrophicans is a genetic skin condition that starts in childhood, involves inflammation and scarring, and current treatments are only somewhat effective.
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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.