Symptoms and treatment of folliculitis decalvans

The appearance of bald spots on the scalp can be due to multiple factors. Among the capillary pathologies that can trigger baldness we find folliculitis decalvans. Knowing the symptoms and treatment of folliculitis decalvans is key to knowing when to go to a specialized hair clinic and find a solution.

Next in the blog de Hospital Capilar We give you all the information about the symptoms and treatment of folliculitis decalvans.

What is folliculitis decalvans?

Folliculitis decalvans is a type of alopecia categorized as cicatricial. causes the formation of pustules on the scalp, which triggers inflammation of the hair follicles.

Our doctors indicate that if this scalp disease spreads, the destruction of the hair follicle occurs, leaving a scar. This means that the hair will fall out and will not grow back.

Symptoms of folliculitis decalvans

Knowing the symptoms and treatment of folliculitis decalvans is essential to know when it is necessary to go to a hair clinic and put ourselves in the hands of medical professionals. In this way we will be able to minimize the possible effects of this scarring alopecia.

Among the most common symptoms of folliculitis decalvans we can find several.

Itching and stinging sensation

The symptoms of folliculitis decalvans begin with a feeling of discomfort in the affected areas. Patients with this type of scarring alopecia often experience itching and stinging and sometimes pain.

Appearance of pustules

That sensation of itching and stinging on the head is caused by the appearance of pustules or pimples on the scalp. These pustules become inflamed and may even contain pus, which causes a feeling of discomfort in the patient with folliculitis decalvans. 

Scalp redness

The appearance of pustules on the scalp leads to redness in the area.

Bald spots on the scalp

When hair follicles are destroyed by folliculitis decalvans, the hair falls out and instead leaves a scar on the scalp. In these cases the hair will not grow back naturally, leading to the appearance of bald spots.

Causes that cause folliculitis decalvans

It is not yet known with certainty what are the causes that trigger folliculitis decalvans. What is known is that it tends to affect young men and, mainly, is due to a bacterial infection that causes an autoimmune reaction in the body, which directly attacks the hair follicles causing their destruction. Although what initiates it is of bacterial origin, in no case is it a contagious disease.

The inflammatory reaction caused by the patient's own body can become chronic, which means that we could experience flare-ups for a long time. It is for this reason that it is important for a hair doctor to assess, diagnose and treat this type of hair pathology.

How is folliculitis decalvans treated?

There is no definitive remedy that definitively treats folliculitis decalvans, since it is a pathology that becomes chronic. Instead, there are medical treatments with which to stabilize this type of alopecia, but they require continued use over time.

For the treatment of folliculitis decalvans, oral drugs such as anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and corticosteroids are usually used. In any case, it must be a specialist doctor who determines the hair treatment based on each case