Can steroid injections treat lichen planopilaris?

Lichen planopilaris is an inflammatory scalp condition that targets hair follicles. Ongoing inflammation can cause redness, scale, burning, tenderness, or patchy hair loss, and scarring can prevent a damaged follicle from producing hair again. A clinician may inject steroid into active, defined scalp areas to reduce local inflammation.

Because the condition can affect more than one patch, a local injection may be only one part of management. Examination, scalp photography, dermoscopy, or a biopsy may be considered when the diagnosis is uncertain. Treatment decisions balance disease activity with the risk of scalp skin thinning or pigment change.

Arrange review with a dermatologist if hair loss is progressing or the scalp feels inflamed. Record new patches, symptoms, and changes in shedding between visits. Ask which areas appear active and whether an injection is appropriate for them. Avoid scratching, tight hairstyles, and unapproved scalp injections; these can add irritation or injury while the diagnosis is being clarified.

Seek prompt assessment for rapidly expanding hair-loss patches, intense scalp pain, pus, crusting, fever, or marked swelling. Contact the clinic if treated skin becomes increasingly red, tender, indented, or lighter or darker than nearby skin. Faster review helps distinguish treatment effects, infection, and active scalp inflammation.

Ask how active inflammation will be recognised, whether the injection is intended to protect remaining follicles, what other treatment may be needed, and how hair and scalp changes will be monitored.