Scarring alopecia, also known as cicatricial alopecia is a collection of hair loss disorders that affects about 3% of hair loss patients. Scarring alopecia can impact both men and women and often begins with small patches of hair loss that expand gradually. It is not thought to be hereditary. Hair loss can be associated with burning, itching, and pain.
Scarring alopecia, also known as cicatricial alopecia is a collection of hair loss disorders that affects about 3% of hair loss patients. Scarring alopecia can impact both men and women and often begins with small patches of hair loss that expand gradually. It is not thought to be hereditary. The hair loss can be associated with burning, itching, and pain. Cicatricial alopecia can sometimes cause permanent and irreversible destruction to hair follicles and cause them to be replaced with scar tissue.
Unfortunately, scarring alopecia can be rapidly progressive but, diagnosis and evaluating the extent of the damage is usually done with one or more skin biopsies. A pathologist will look for scar tissue in the skin and the presence of inflammation under a microscope before making a determination. Oftentimes, the edges of the bald patches appear ragged but, the actual destruction of the hair follicles occurs below the skin’s surface. The surface of the scalp in the bald patches may look smooth or may have swelling, redness, different pigmentation, pustules, or raised blisters.
Scarring alopecia usually involves the inflammation of hair follicles and is sometimes treated with topical creams and by injection into the affected skin. Other cases are sometimes treated with antibiotics or isotretinoin; it all depends on the course of treatment decided by your healthcare professional. Scarring alopecia almost always reaches a burn-out stage where there has been no more hair loss for years but, bald areas will not have hair follicles and may be completely destroyed.
The bald, scarred areas can either be surgically removed if they are small enough or transplanted with hair follicles taken from unaffected areas. If you’re suffering from scarring alopecia, Emerge Trichology can help. Emerge Trichology is a hair restoration center in Temple Terrace, FL. Call us at 813-820-0022 to book your consultation.
