HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF CICATRICAL ALOPECIA

Cicatrical alopecia is a rare condition wherein the hair follicle is destroyed. Usually, there is an associated formation of scar tissue on the area. Later on, this may lead to permanent baldness in the affected spot on the scalp. Hair loss treatment in Cicatrical alopecia depends on whether the condition is seen during the early, mid, or late stages.

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Cicatrical alopecia is often asymptomatic and it occurs slowly or gradually. This is the reason why this condition is often left unnoticed. There are certain areas under the scalp where inflammation occurs, destroying the hair follicles. On the scalp surface, there is rarely any sign of this inflammation although sometimes there may be slight redness and scaling which often go unnoticed.

Also called scarring alopecia, this gradual hair loss and scalp scarring can happen in otherwise healthy men and women. Frequently it’s associated with family history of autoimmune disorders. Its real cause is not known except that it involves inflammatory cells and is non-contagious or cannot be passed on. The issue is that it can cause permanent hair loss when the hair follicle is destroyed and cannot regenerate anymore.

There are two general forms of cicatrical alopecia – primary and secondary. In primary cicatrical alopecia, the hair follicle is destroyed as well as the area where the hair emerges. It is further divided in three subtypes which are lymphocytic, neutrophilic, and mixed alopecias. In secondary cicatrical alopecia, the condition is more generalized, affecting other organs of the body. This second major type of cicatrical alopecia is often caused by various drugs, radiation, and tumors.

The diagnosis is through a history of hair loss, redness, scaling, pustules, along with scalp biopsy especially in cases where there are virtually no signs and symptoms of active inflammation.

Treatment may be through oral medications such as hydroxychloroquine, cyclosporine, or corticosteroids. Topical medications are preferred as these are safer and include corticosteroids and some scalp oils. For severely inflamed areas of the scalp, corticosteroid injection may be given.

The hair loss treatments employed will benefit the patient if the follicles haven’t been destroyed. Nisim Biofactors, a hair loss treatment range of shampoo, conditioner, and stimulating extract may be helpful in stimulating the unscarred hair follicles.