Hair Loss Scarring Alopecia | HairMD, Pune

Scarring alopecia, also known as cicatricial alopecia, is a condition where there is a potential permanent and irreversible destruction of hair follicles which leads to their replacement with scar tissue. It is a very rare form of alopecia and only occurs among 3% of healthy men and women of all ages.

Most forms of hair loss scarring alopecia start as small patches of hair loss that expand over a period of time. In a lot of cases, hair loss is gradual and without any noticeable symptoms. It also goes unnoticed for a long period of time. However, in some instances, it is associated with severe itching, burning, and progresses very quickly.

Are you experiencing hair loss? Get in touch with the best of our hair specialists in Pune to understand your hair condition. For a hair treatment or to get hair transplant, book an appointment with our dermatologists near you, call +912071177333.

When cicatricial alopecia is suspected, skin biopsies are done to identify the particular type of alopecia. A 2-4 millimeter biopsy is taken and examined by the dermatopathologists in the laboratory under laboratoryunder the microscope. In the early stages, inflammatory cells will be present around the hair follicles which induces the destruction of scar tissue. After a while, the bald patches stop expanding and all the pain goes away. In the final stage, a biopsy will no longer show any inflammation and only a few longitudinal scars will be left to show where the hair follicles were present.

What causes scarring alopecia? The scarring alopecia causes are not yet completely known or understood. However, all forms of cicatricial alopecia involve inflammation at the upper part of the hair follicle. This is where the stem cells and the sebaceous glands are located. In cicatricial alopecia, these stem cells and sebaceous glands are destroyed leading to no possibility of regeneration of the hair follicle. Therefore, there is permanent hair loss. The good part is that cicatricial alopecia is not contagious.

Scarring alopecia treatment options are limited. The nature of scarring alopecia treatment depends on the diagnosis and the progressiveness of diease. The ones that have lymphocyte inflammation, such as lichen planopilaris, are treated with corticosteroids in the form of creams or injections. Antimalarial and isotretinoin drugs are also used in some cases. In the case of neutrophils, antibiotics and isotretinoin are used and experimental drugs like cyclosporine and tacrolimus have also been used.

Scarring Alopecia Types

The types of scarring alopecia include primary, secondary, and hereditary.

  • Primary scarring alopecia occurs when hair follicles are destroyed and replaced by fibrous tissue. Since the stem cells in the hair root are destroyed, this type of scarring alopecia leads to irreversible hair loss.
  • Inflammatory cells like lymphocytes, neutrophils, or a combination of these can cause primary scarring alopecia.
  • Secondary scarring alopecia results from damage to hair follicles caused by inflammation. This hair condition occurs when the follicles are destroyed due to burns, trauma, or radiation therapy.

Symptoms of Scarring Alopecia

  • Scarring alopecia begins with the development of shiny and smooth bald patches on the scalp which eventually lead to almost total baldness.
  • There is itching and a burning sensation on the scalp.
  • Pain is experienced in the scalp region.
  • This hair condition may cause pus in the scalp region.
  • Scarring alopecia symptoms also include blisters and crusting on the scalp.
  • Patches of rough and scaly skin may be seen.

Scarring Alopecia Treatment

  • Corticosteroids may be injected into the inflammatory lesion, as a treatment for alopecia, as this method helps control hair loss.
  • Oral retinoids and oral immunomodulators are other good ways to treat this hair condition.
  • Sun protection for the scalp is often recommended.
  • Using shampoo may help in treating hair conditions.

Are you experiencing hair loss? Get in touch with the best of our hair specialists in Pune to understand your hair condition. For a hair treatment or to get hair transplant, book an appointment with our dermatologists near you, call +912071177333.

The condition first appears as small patches of hair loss, and it can expand with time. The hair loss is gradual and can go on without any noticeable symptoms for a long time.

Scarring Alopecia Picture | HairMD, Pune

However, hair loss is associated with burning and severe itching sensations and pain that intensifies with time.

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REVIEWS

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Arpita Ratnakar

With severe hair fall issues, I was going through the worst phase of my life. However, I was recommended to HMD by a friend and it has been nothing short of a miracle for me. I am at an extremely joyous phase. Thank you HMD for this lovely treatment.

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Samyak Dubey

HMD is one of the best hair clinics in India. They successfully treated my alopecia in a few sessions and I am very very grateful. The doctors and the staff at HMD were absolutely fantastic. They are experts in their field and my procedure went smoothly. Thank you HairMD.

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Monali Ranganathan

Due to increased stress in my work life, I had alopecia at a very young age. But thankfully HMD came to my rescue. I have thick hair currently and my hair fall has completely stopped. I will recommend anyone suffering from alopecia to visit HMD. They are the best in India.

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FAQs
About Scarring Alopecia

No. You can only grow back the lost hair through surgical methods like transplantation. Hair transplantation remains the only way to significantly restore the hair in the areas affected by cicatricial alopecia. Consult a dermatologist to understand the severity and progression of your scarring alopecia and know if hair transplant is the right choice for you.

Most of the time, you won't be able to realize as the process of scarring alopecia is gradual. But if you are having symptoms like itching, burning, pus of purulent discharge from scalp, pain, patches of rough and dry skin, blisters, and crusting, it is advised to get a skin biopsy done to understand the alopecia.

The inflammation that leads to scarring alopecia happens underneath the skin and you cannot see any scar on the surface. Examination of the scalp will not show any broken hair shafts. Affected areas of the scalp can show signs of redness, scaling, pigmentation, pustules, and draining sinuses as signs of inflammation.

No. The treatment options are limited in the case of scarring alopecia and they are very aggressive in nature. Do not try to treat it at home; you may end up with a harsh reaction. Consult a doctor if you want to start treatment at the earliest.

There is no fixed timeline for the spread of cicatricial alopecia. In some cases, it spreads very slowly and is completely unnoticeable. However, in other instances, the rapid progression occurs along with severe symptoms like scaling, redness, pigmentation, blisters, and pustules.