Health Library Cicatricial AlopeciaFrom Healthwise

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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It is possible that the main title of the report Cicatricial alopecia is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

• Pseudopelade
• Scarring hair loss
• Brocq pseudopelade
• Alopecia cicatrisata

• None

Cicatricial alopecia usually includes a range of rare disorders related to the destruction of the hair follicle and gets replaced by scar tissue which may lead to permanent hair loss. Typically the hair loss is gradual, without symptoms, and is unnoticed for long periods. In some the hair loss is also associated with rapidly progressive symptoms such as itching, burning and pain. The inflammation that destroys the follicle is located below the surface of the skin and there is usually no "scar" seen on the scalp. Affected areas of the scalp may show little signs of inflammation.
There are two known types of cicatricial alopecias classified as primary Cicatricial alopecias or secondary Cicatricial alopecias. For primary cicatricial alopecias in the hair follicle is the target of the destructive inflammatory process. In secondary cicatricial alopecias, destruction of the hair follicle is an "accidental" non-follicle-directed process or external injury, such as severe infections, burns, radiation, or tumors.
Primary cicatricial alopecias are further classified by the type of inflammatory cells that destroy the hair follicle during the active stage of the disease. The inflammation may predominantly involve lymphocytes or neutrophils. Cicatricial alopecias that predominantly involve lymphocytic inflammation include lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, central centrifugal alopecia, pseudopelade (Brocq), alopecia mucinosa, and keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans.
Cicatricial alopecias that are due to predominantly neutrophilic inflammation include folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis.

Sometimes the inflammation shifts from a predominantly neutrophilic process to a lymphocytic process. Cicatricial alopecias with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate include folliculitis keloidalis and erosive pustular dermatosis.

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This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  5/19/2008
Copyright  2008 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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