Are you experiencing hair loss in places on your scalp, with small bumps that sometimes itch? Or are they painful? Or are your scalp red and crusty? If you have experienced these things, then you may also want to know about a condition called Folliculitis Decalvans. Let's talk about it simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Folliculitis Decalvans?
Simply put, Folliculitis Decalvans is a rare condition that doesn't affect everyone . It's a condition where your hair follicles, where your hair starts, become inflamed and inflamed. Over time, this inflammation not only causes hair to fall out, but also causes scarring. This results in permanent hair loss. We call it cicatricial alopecia . This means hair loss with scarring.
So what exactly is 'folliculitis'?
This is also important to know. Folliculitis is any inflammation of the hair follicle . Think of it like a small bulb where our hair grows. When it gets too inflamed, things like bacteria can sometimes get trapped inside, and small, pus-filled bumps called pustules can form that look like pimples . These are red and sometimes ooze pus.
What causes Folliculitis Decalvans?
In fact, experts still don't know exactly what causes it. But it's often thought that the bacteria 'Staphylococcus aureus', sometimes called 'Staph A' for short, may be the cause . This 'Staph A' bacteria is a type of bacteria that normally lives on our skin and inside our noses, and is usually harmless. However, only some people develop persistent inflammation due to this bacteria. Over time, this persistent inflammation completely destroys the hair follicles, preventing them from growing new hair. Eventually, the hair falls out, leaving scars. The hair that has fallen out will never grow back.
Who is more likely to develop this condition?
Folliculitis decalvans is a condition that can affect both men and women. However, it is more common in men . It usually starts in adolescence, around the age of eighteen or twenty, or in young adulthood . However, it can affect anyone at any age.
What are the symptoms of Folliculitis Decalvans?
The symptoms of this condition may vary slightly from person to person.
- Most of the time, it only affects the scalp . Bald patches appear in circular or oval shapes on the scalp.
- Very rarely, meaning very little, hair can also grow in places like the armpits, genital areas, face, legs, and arms.
- Some people may not even show a big special sign until their hair grows out .
- Others may start to itch their heads, similar to seborrheic dermatitis . The scalp may feel tight and painful.
- Pustules are most often seen on the back of the head , but they can appear anywhere on the head. When these pustules rupture, drain, and dry out, the skin in those areas peels off, forming scabs .
One very special thing to see in this is a condition called 'tufted folliculitis'. That is, several hairs from a single hair follicle come together, like the bristles of a toothbrush, and emerge in a cluster. Unfortunately, when this hair follicle eventually dies, the entire clump of hair falls out, leaving a scar and a bald spot.
How do I find out what exactly this is?
If you have these symptoms, the best thing to do is see a dermatologist . He or she will examine your scalp carefully. They may even use a magnifying device to see the pustules clearly.
In addition, the doctor may do the following:
- A small sample of the pustules is taken and sent for a swab test to see if the Staph A bacteria we talked about earlier is present.
- A few hairs and a small scraping of the scalp can be taken and sent for testing (skin scrapings) . This is to confirm whether it is a fungal infection like ringworm, as its symptoms can be somewhat similar to folliculitis decalvans.
- To confirm all of this more accurately, a skin biopsy can be performed, which involves taking a small piece of skin and testing it . This is the only way to definitively diagnose the disease.
Can Folliculitis Decalvans be completely cured?
This may sound a little sad to hear, but to be honest, there is no cure for this condition yet . But that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do. Don't worry, there are treatments! The main goal of these treatments is to reduce the inflammation, and to stop new scarring and hair loss as much as possible.
This condition can sometimes go into ``remission``, meaning you may feel well for a while. However, there can be periods when symptoms flare up again . Therefore, treatment for this condition often needs to be continued.
What are the treatments available?
Doctors usually prescribe oral medications to treat this condition:
- Antibiotics: These are given to kill the Staph A bacteria. However, sometimes these bacteria develop antibiotic resistance. This means that the medicine does not work. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, such as methicillin.
- Corticosteroids: These are anti-inflammatory, meaning they are a type of medication that is given to reduce inflammation.
- Isotretinoin (Accutane®): This medication is used to reduce pustules and clear the skin.
"In addition to these medications, some new studies have shown that a treatment called methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) may also help some people . This involves applying a special chemical to the scalp and then shining a special light on the area. The chemical and light combine to kill bacteria and damaged cells."
What can you do to manage Folliculitis Decalvans?
In addition to taking the medication your doctor prescribes, there are also things you can do at home to help manage the condition. Your doctor may recommend using an antiseptic shampoo or a special shampoo containing tar . These can help reduce the amount of bacteria on your scalp and control the inflammation to some extent.
What can you expect when living with this condition?
To be honest, when hair loss and bald spots occur due to Folliculitis Decalvans, some people may feel very sad, embarrassed, and depressed about their appearance. This can sometimes lead to mental health conditions like depression, or unnecessary fear and anxiety .
But don't worry, there are solutions to those things too.
- There are modern cosmetic treatments, such as hair grafting or scalp micropigmentation , to make these bald spots less visible.
- Also, if you like , you can use wigs, hairpieces, or cover your head with something like a nice hat or scarf .
- The most important thing is, if you are worried about your appearance, it is very important to seek the help of a counselor to help you develop good self-confidence and a positive attitude about yourself .
You may have a few questions.
Is this a contagious disease?
No. You cannot catch it from someone else. So you don't need to stay away from other people. However, sometimes several people in the same family can get this condition. The exact cause is not yet known.
Is this skin cancer?
Absolutely not . Folliculitis Decalvans is not a skin cancer . Having it does not increase your risk of developing cancer. So don't worry about it.
Will the hair that has been lost due to this condition grow back?
Unfortunately, the hair that is lost due to Folliculitis Decalvans does not grow back. This means that this is permanent hair loss . This is because the hair follicle is destroyed and a scar is formed there. That is why we always say that if you see a doctor as soon as possible and start treatment as soon as possible, you can reduce your hair loss as much as possible .
The most important things you need to remember in this article
Folliculitis decalvans is a chronic condition that causes bald patches, red, crusty pustules, and scaling on the scalp.
- Although the exact cause is not known, it is most likely that the bacteria `(Staph A)` may be involved .
- Although there is no complete cure for this, various treatments can help reduce inflammation, stop further hair loss, and control symptoms .
- Although hair loss is a permanent condition, it can be made less visible with various cosmetic treatments and other devices .
- Most importantly, if you are feeling anxious or worried about your appearance, definitely talk to your doctor or a counselor . You are not alone, and help is available.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further questions about this, please seek medical advice.
` Folliculitis Decalvans, Hair loss, Scalp infections, Hair loss with scarring, Staph A, Skin diseases, Hair loss, Boils, Alopecia, Cicatricial alopecia
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