Scarring alopecia

Scarring alopecia or cicatricial alopecia is a group of unusual skin diseases and is one of the uncommon reasons for hair loss. In this disease, scar tissue replaces hair follicles which get destroyed and causes sudden or gradual hair loss. It does not necessarily have any symptoms, but if there are any, they would be pain and an itching and burning sensation. The scar is not visible, since the inflammation is under the skin. Scarring Alopecia can possible occur in healthy males and females of all age groups.

Primary cicatricial alopecia destructs and inflames the hair follicle, while secondary cicatricial alopecia is an external injury or a non-follicle-directed procedure, for example, burns, severe infections, tumors or radiation could damage the hair follicle. Reasons why cicatricial alopecias occur are not known completely, but all cicatricial alopecias include inflammation at the upper portion of hair follicle where the sebaceous gland and stem cells are located. When these glands are destroyed, the hair loss becomes permanent and usually irreversible. Another thing to be noted about these diseases is that the majority of people suffering from them do not have any family history for this condition. Even though scarring alopecia has an equal possibility of occurring in both men as well as women, a kind of cicatricial alopecia, central centrifugal alopecia, is comparatively more prevalent among dark-skinned women, while Frontal fibrosing alopecia is most common among post-menopausal women.

There may be similarity between cicatricial alopecias and recurring skin conditions like lupus erythematosus, and they can be associated with people who have a family or personal history of an autoimmune disorder. For diagnosis, the doctor will have to carry out a scalp biopsy, as the occurrence of inflammation and scarring is diagnostic and it is necessary to for determing the kind of treatment.

Scarring alopecia treatments

Anti-inflammatory medications like hydroxychloroquine, steroids and cyclosporine are involved in the treatment and cure of scarring alopecia. Once the hair follicle has been destroyed, no hair will grow from it. Nevertheless, in a few cases the use of Minoxidil solution can assist in stimulating the growth of the hair that remains. Hair transplantation is only an option if the patient has healthy hair in the donor area. However, if hair multiplication ever becomes possible in the future, it would be a potential option for the patients who have lost the hair on the scalp extensively due to this condition.