Is there a treatment for folliculitis decalvans?
Table of contents
- What is folliculitis decalvans?
- What are the causes of this skin disease?
- Is there a therapy?
- What permanent solution is there for inflamed hair follicles?
- Conclusion: Hair transplantation is possible in cases of folliculitis decalvans
What is folliculitis decalvans?
The inflammation of the hair follicles is called folliculitis decalvans. This inflammatory disease is relatively rare overall, but more common in men. The course of the skin disease is chronic.
The disease causes inflammation of the hair follicles, the cells that contain the hair shaft and at the base of which the hair is formed. This inflammation causes irreversible damage to the hair roots, and hair loss occurs.
In addition, scar tissue forms in the affected areas. For this reason, the condition is classified as cicatricial alopecia . The condition can occur on any hairy area of the body, but it most commonly occurs on the scalp.
People affected by this inflammatory disease initially develop so-called follicular papules , which are raised, thickened areas of the skin. As the disease progresses, pustules develop.
These are pus-filled cavities in the skin. The skin disease progresses continuously, leaving unsightly scars. These scars cause irreversible damage to the hair roots, preventing them from producing new, healthy hair growth .
In the course of the disease, spontaneous bleeding, pain, itching or skin changes may also occur.
What are the causes of this skin disease?
The exact cause of inflammation of the hair follicles is still not fully understood . However, it is certain that the gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus plays a crucial role in the development of the disease.
In most affected individuals, this bacterium can be detected in the inflamed areas. However, there must be other underlying causes for this condition. Not all individuals with Staphylococcus aureus also suffer from inflamed hair follicles.
This condition has been found to run in families . Therefore, it is believed that those affected often have a congenital hair follicle opening that is different, making it easier for bacteria to colonize.
Is there a therapy?
There are various treatment approaches for folliculitis decalvans.
Anti-inflammatory therapy can help reduce the inflammatory response and thus the destruction of the hair follicle, thereby stopping hair loss.
Antibiotic therapies can be used to combat bacterial infections that enhance the inflammatory response.
In addition, there are external therapies such as topical steroids, which are applied directly to the affected areas, as well as internal therapies such as systemic immunomodulators, which can influence the immune system and thus reduce inflammation in the body.
What permanent solution is there for inflamed hair follicles?
If you suffer from this inflammatory condition and have bald patches on your scalp as a result, a hair transplant is generally possible . There are two key factors that determine whether a hair transplant is possible.
Firstly, it's important that your scalp is stable at the time of the hair transplant. Secondly, the inflammatory condition should be completely healed before a hair transplant is performed. Inflammation occurs in phases, which is why it can recur within a few weeks or even months, even after improvement.
For this reason, you should definitely wait until the disease has healed. Otherwise, the transplanted, healthy hair follicles could immediately be attacked by the bacteria again, causing the newly transplanted hair to fall out as well.
Conclusion: Hair transplantation is possible in cases of folliculitis decalvans
Inflammation of the hair follicles is a form of cicatricial alopecia that results in the destruction of the hair follicles. Over time, this inflammation leads to irreversible damage to the hair roots, and the hair eventually falls out. New hair growth is no longer possible in the affected areas.
Those affected often suffer greatly from folliculitis decalvans. Treatment is limited because the causes of the disease are not fully understood. Once the disease has healed, it is possible to fill in the bald patches on the scalp with the help of a hair transplant.
For this procedure, follicular units are implanted into the affected areas. Transplanting your own hair leads to healthy and strong hair growth within just a few months. If you have any questions, the Elithair experts are happy to provide a free consultation.
