What is Cicatricial Scarring Alopecia?
Cicatricial Scarring alopecia is a type of baldness and an inflammatory hair loss disorder in which the hair follicles get destroyed permanently. Fibrous tissues replace the underlying muscles around the hair follicles leading to bald patches on the scalp. Medically it is also called as cicatricial scarring alopecia.
The damage of hair follicles in scarring alopecia is permanent. It ceases the regrowth of hair on the scalp. In general, scarring alopecia starts with a non-scarring type of alopecia which gradually progress to become irreversible. It can affect both men and women and may not necessarily have a genetic link.
What Causes Scarring Alopecia?
Inflammation is considered as the major cause of scarring alopecia. It destroys the tissues surrounding the hair follicles permanently wherein the collagen deposits, leading to loss of sebaceous glands.
Other than this, women may experience scarring alopecia due to excessive use of hot combs or relaxants. It causes excessive traction and damages the hair follicles.
Some other causes of scarring alopecia include the following:
• Inflammation
• Genetic factors
• Injuries
• Burns
• Tumor
• Alteration in lipid metabolism
What are the Types of Scarring Alopecia?
Scarring alopecia is classified into three different types depending upon their severity and cause.
Primary Scarring Alopecia- It occurs when the tissues surrounding the hair follicles get destroyed and replaced by the fibrous tissues. Inflammatory cells like lymphocytes, neutrophils, or a combination of these affect the hair follicles in primary scarring alopecia.
Secondary Scarring Alopecia- It is a result of permanent damage to hair follicles due to reasons like burns, trauma, cancer, radiation treatment. Since these conditions affect the skin, which leads to underlying hair root damage as well, it is called secondary scarring alopecia.
Developmental scarring- It is also called as hereditary alopecia, which occurs due to hormonal imbalance, genetic causes, or natural aging. Developmental alopecia is also called hereditary alopecia or male pattern baldness / female pattern of baldness.
What are the Symptoms of cicatricial Scarring Alopecia?
Generally, there are no distinctive symptoms that pinpoint scarring alopecia; however, some typical symptoms include the following:
• Itching on the scalp
• Burning sensation
• Pain
• Formation of crust
• The occurrence of patches of rough and scaly skin or thin, pigmented skin
• Blisters
Treatment for Scarring Alopecia
The treatment of scarring alopecia focuses majorly on preventing further hair loss and covering the bald patches. Also, it tries to reduce the reasons for inflammation so that more hair loss can be ceased.
Hair transplantation Cicatricial in scarring alopecia is also an effective treatment in which undamaged hair follicles from other parts of the scalp are transplanted on the bald patches by the most advanced fue hair transplant method. It covers the bald areas and gives a fuller scalp. Treating the inflammatory cells like lymphocytes or neutrophils can also give effective hair transplant results and reduce hair loss.
Hair Care to Combat Scarring Alopecia
It is essential to follow a healthy hair care routine to subside scarring alopecia. If you are suffering from the problem, the following tips could help:
• Stop using hair care products that comprise harsh chemicals.
• UV rays may worsen the condition of scarring alopecia; therefore, always cover the head with a scarf.
• Use shampoos that can reduce the inflammatory lesions.
• Continue the medications if prescribed by the dermatologist.