SCARRING CICATRICIAL ALOPECIA
A condition that destroys a hair follicle leading to permanent hair loss is known as scarring or cicatricial alopecia. Many conditions can cause follicular death, and a majority of the start as nonpermanent and over time lead to permanent damage. Ultimately, the replacement of the hair follicle with fibrosis and scar tissue occurs. When the hair follicle is being destroyed, patients will feel burning, itching, and redness. Often when these symptoms develop, the hair loss is rapid. A portion of the time, the patient may feel nothing and tend to have a slower progression of loss. This condition will affect both men and women. The goal is to create treatment plans that slow down the disease and halt the destruction.
DIAGNOSIS
Destruction of the hair follicle near the surface, and where the sebum gland resides leads to permanent damage. Often-times being able to pinpoint the cause of cicatricial alopecia can be challenging, some conditions are more obvious than others. Therapy is derived on slowing down the damage and preventing permanent loss. The below list is a comprised list of well-known causes:
Trauma
- Physical
- Burns
- Radiation
- Traction (extensions, cornrows, braids, ponytails)
- Chemical (hair straighteners, bleaches, perming solutions)
- Trichotillomania (compulsive hair plucking)
Infections
- Bacterial (chronic staphylococcus folliculitis)
- Fungal (tinea capitus)
- Viral (shingles)
Skin Diseases
- Lichen Planopilaris
- Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
- Folliculitis Decalvans
- Dissecting Cellulitis
- Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
- Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
- Scleroderma
TREATMENT
Scarring Alopecia prevention begins with the early onset of therapy, and proper diagnosis to reduce the progression of the attack on your hair follicles. In some instances, topical steroids, and antibiotics may be prescribed depending on the condition. While steroids can also cause hair loss, this steroid use would be specific to fight a condition that is causing severe inflammation. All of the below therapies should be considered for someone suffering from this life-altering condition. Sophia Michelle Aesthetics works diligently with every patient to ensure the highest quality of care, and therapy is provided to every patient.