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
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July 2013 in “Journal of dermatological treatment” Laser therapy may effectively treat persistent scalp inflammation.
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March 2012 in “Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine” Photodynamic therapy successfully treated a difficult scalp condition causing hair loss.
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January 2010 in “International journal of trichology” Antimicrobial therapy can help manage Folliculitis Decalvans.
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December 2009 in “Histopathology” The conclusion is that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires good teamwork between skin doctors and lab experts.
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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.
254 citations
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December 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Accurate diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial to prevent permanent hair loss in cicatricial alopecia.
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February 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Folliculitis decalvans and tufted folliculitis are related, and a new treatment with rifampicin and clindamycin is effective.
May 2024 in “Journal of Education, Health and Sport” Current treatments for folliculitis decalvans include antibiotics, isotretinoin, and potential new therapies like botulinum toxin A and PRP.
May 2025 in “JAAD reviews.” Current treatments for neutrophilic alopecias in children are limited and often ineffective, especially for males and those of Afro-Caribbean descent.
February 2024 in “PloS one” Tofacitinib and adalimumab are promising treatments for cicatricial alopecia with few side effects.
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September 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy” More research is needed to find the best treatment for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp.
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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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