What should you know about primary cicatricial alopecia?

Inflammation around a hair follicle can injure its structure. When the follicle is replaced by scar tissue, that particular opening may no longer produce a hair. Signs can include widening or smooth bald areas, broken hairs, redness, scaling, tenderness, burning, itching, or small bumps around hairs. The scalp may look shiny where follicle openings have disappeared.

Primary cicatricial alopecia is a pattern rather than one single disease. Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia is one related condition, and the hair-loss pattern can resemble other causes. A dermatologist may examine the scalp closely and recommend a scalp biopsy from an active edge to identify the inflammation and guide treatment.

Arrange a dermatology assessment if hair loss is expanding or accompanied by scalp symptoms. Bring a list of medicines and supplements, and photographs showing how the area has changed. Use gentle shampoo, avoid tight hairstyles, chemical processing, and vigorous brushing, and protect exposed scalp from sun. Treatment aims to calm active inflammation and preserve follicles; options may include medicines applied to the scalp, oral treatment, or Steroid Injection Into The Skin when clinically appropriate. Scarred follicles do not reliably regrow, so cosmetic options are usually considered after inflammation is controlled.

Seek prompt review for rapidly enlarging bald patches, pus, marked swelling, severe pain, crusting, or fever. Arrange assessment soon when eyebrows or the hairline are changing, because active inflammation can progress quietly. Sudden smooth loss without redness has other possible explanations, including Bald Patches, and still deserves a clear diagnosis rather than self-treatment.

Does the scalp show active follicle inflammation or established scarring? Would a biopsy clarify the subtype? What treatment is intended to preserve remaining follicles? How will progress be monitored, and when might cosmetic restoration be considered?