Lupus Erythematosus: Cicatricial alopecia --Hair Loss that Scars[Certified Los Angeles Hair Surgeon]

Dec. 8, 2009 - PRLog -- Besides Male Patterned Baldness, there are varieties of other dermatologic conditions that can cause hair loss. A typical dermatology clinic would view these conditions as either a result of self referral or often times from other hair transplant surgeons. Many of these conditions are inflammatory in nature. Some of these conditions, if not recognized and treated early, could result in scarring with permanent hair loss. One such condition is known as Lupus Erythematosus (popularly referred to as "Lupus"). Hair loss with scarring (cicatricial alopecia) is often the result of this condition, and if it is left unchecked, it could lead to disfiguring lesions, especially in the scalp and face.

To understand this specific condition of Lupus better, Cicatricial alopecia, also known as scarring alopecia, is hair loss that occurs in areas where there is scarring or other tissue damage that destroys the hair follicles. In other words, the term "cicatricial alopecia" refers to a diverse group of rare disorders that destroy the hair follicle, replace it with scar tissue, and cause permanent hair loss. Scarring alopecia can be divided into two categories, primary and secondary. In primary scarring alopecia, the hair follicle is the main target of inflammation. In secondary cicatricial alopecias, destruction of the hair follicle is incidental to a non-follicle-directed process or external injury, such as severe infections, burns, radiation, or tumors. The hair follicle is regarded as an “innocent bystander” as it is destroyed in a non-specific manner by skin inflammation. For both the clinician and the pathologist, identifying the particular forms of primary scarring alopecia and making a diagnosis can be rather challenging.

In some cases, hair loss is gradual, without symptoms, and is unnoticed for long periods of time. In other cases, hair loss is associated with severe itching, burning and pain and is rapidly progressive. The inflammation that destroys the follicle is below the skin surface and there is usually no scar seen on the scalp. Affected areas of the scalp may show little signs of inflammation, or have redness, scaling, increased or decreased pigmentation, pustules, or draining sinuses.

Cicatricial alopecia occurs in otherwise healthy men and women of all ages worldwide. A scalp biopsy and clinical evaluation of the scalp are essential for the diagnosis of cicatricial alopecia and are necessary first steps. Findings from the scalp biopsy are necessary to diagnose the type of cicatricial alopecia, and to determine the degree of activity, and to select appropriate therapy.
At the Derm Hair Clinic in Los Angeles, Dr. Sanusi Umar is a board certified dermatologist and hair surgeon with profound experience in conducting scalp biopsies and determining the correct therapy for different cases of hair loss. Visit this link on our website for a detailed account of how a case of cicatricial alopecia resulting from lupus erythematosus was managed successfully. Please call our clinic In Los Angeles at (310)318-1500 or visit http://www.dermhairclinic.com/ for more information.

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DermHair clinic maintains an active complementary surgical hair restoration/repair program. Qualifying individuals are given the benefit of our state of the art hair restoration surgeries at no charge or highly subsidized rate. These are often individuals with obvious financial difficulties that have typically been disfigured by hair loss and scarring from previous botched hair restoration surgeries, radiations treatment for cancer, burns, accidents or disease. Contact us if you think you qualify for this program.