Cicatricial Alopecia
Also known as: Scarring Alopecia
What is
it?
Alopecia is
the term used for hair loss. Cicatricial alopecia,
also known as scarring alopecia, is hair loss that
occurs in areas where there is scarring or other
tissue damage.
Who gets
it?
People
whose skin has been scarred by burns, certain
diseases, radiation therapy, or other injuries may
develop cicatricial alopecia.
What
causes it?
Scar tissue
forms when some part of the dermis is destroyed. The
dermis is the second layer of the skin, and contains
the hair follicles. In addition to burns and other
injuries, cicatricial alopecia can be caused by
certain types of infections, called granulomas; lupus
erythematosus; recurring bacterial or fungal
infections; a skin disease called lichen planus; and
scalp ringworm.
What are
the symptoms?
People with
cicatricial alopecia have bald spots on the part of
the body where the tissue damage occurred.
How is it
diagnosed?
Cicatricial
alopecia can be diagnosed by studying the patient’s
medical history and examining the affected areas. The
cause of the scarring is usually easy to identify. In
some cases, your doctor may want to remove a small
sample of skin, called a skin biopsy, to examine under
a microscope. He or she may also use a skin sample to
grow a tissue culture to look for fungi or bacteria.
What is
the treatment?
To treat
cicatricial alopecia, your doctor will look to
identify and eliminate the cause. However, if there is
severe scarring, it is unlikely that hair will grow
again.
Self-care
tips
There are
many forms of alopecia, so it is important to
determine the type of alopecia before treating the
condition. People with all forms of alopecia usually
find support groups dedicated to their condition
helpful. Visit the
Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation for
more information.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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