Scarring Alopecia Causes
Cicatricial alopecia is the another name of scarring alopecia or hair loss caused by scarring of the scalp. It refers to a group of diseases that not only destroy the hair follicles, but also replace them with scar tissues, thereby, causing scarring and permanent hair loss. It can affect both men and women, irrespective of their ages.
What Causes Scarring Alopecia?
There are mainly two types of scarring alopecia, namely primary and secondary scarring alpecia. In primary scarring alopecia, the hair follicles are destroyed by an inflammatory process, which usually involves lymphocytes, neutrophils or other inflammatory cells. Such a condition can be caused by autoimmune disorders. Depending on the type of inflammatory cells involved, primary scarring alopecia is further classified into three main types, which are known as lymphocytic, neutrophilic and mixed alopecias.
On the other hand, secondary scarring alopecia results from factors like burn, injury or severe infections that leave scars on the scalp and cause hair loss on the affected areas. Even people having tumors and exposed to radiation can develop this condition. In addition to these, it may be associated with other medical conditions like systematic or cutaneous lupus erythematosus and scleroderma, which are autoimmune disorders.
Some other possible causes of scarring of the scalp and hair loss include, inflammation of the hair follicles, fungal, baterial or viral infection, folliculitis decalvans, scalp ringworm, lichen planus, granulomatous diseases, etc. It is thought to be caused by an inflammatory process, that attacks the stem cells and the oil or sebaceous glands, that are located in the upper part of the hair follicles. The destruction of these stem cells ultimately causes permanent loss of hair, while replacing them with scar tissues, resulting in scarring of the scalp.
Symptoms of Scarring Alopecia
It often manifests itself in gradual hair loss and scarring, without any other symptom. However, it may be accompanied by itching, pain and burning sensation at times. Initially, it causes hair loss in small patches, which eventually expands over a period of time. The bald patches caused by this condition are characterized by edges. In addition to these, the affected areas may look red and scarred. Sometimes, blisters can also develop on the affected areas.
Treatment for Scarring Alopecia
The diagnosis requires a detailed analysis of the skin of the affected area, the pattern of hair loss and skin biopsy, in order to identify the specific type or form of the condition. The treatment is mainly determined by the particular form of the disorder. Certain disorders, where lymphocytes cause inflammation and destruction of the hair follicles respond to steroids or corticosteroids. Creams containing corticosteroids can also be applied on the affected area of the scalp or skin, or steroids can be administered on those areas with the help of injections.
However, bacterial infection causing this condition would require antibiotics. Even antimalarial and isotretinoin are also used for treating this condition. Both antibiotics and isotretinoin are used, if the inflammation is caused by either neutrophils or other cells. Surgical removal of the bald patches is carried out, if there is no possibility of stopping the destruction of hair follicles or there is no hair loss in those areas for a long time. Subsequently, hair transplantation can be performed to restore hair on the balding areas.
So, cicatricial or scarring alopecia is not a single disorder, but a group of rare disorders, that cause permanent hair loss in both men and women. According to estimates, it accounts for about 3% of the total cases of hair loss. The treatment of the condition, basically depends on identifying the cause and the exact form of the condition, which can be done by consulting a physician.
