What are the treatment options for lichen planopilaris?

Lichen planopilaris is an inflammatory form of scarring hair loss. It may cause scalp itch, burning, redness, scaling around hairs, tenderness, or areas where hair becomes thinner. Steroid injections place medicine directly into active inflamed patches and may be useful when the affected areas are limited. Oral corticosteroid treatment acts throughout the body and may be considered when inflammation is extensive or needs stronger short-term control. Treatment can calm active disease, but follicles that have already scarred may not regrow hair, which is why early assessment matters.

Arrange a dermatology assessment for ongoing scalp symptoms or unexplained hair loss. Avoid scratching, tight hairstyles, harsh chemical treatments, and frequent heat while the scalp is inflamed. Keep a simple record of new patches, shedding, pain, and treatment effects. Use prescribed medicines exactly as directed; oral corticosteroids should not be stopped suddenly without medical advice. Your clinician may monitor scalp photographs, symptoms, and signs of active inflammation to adjust the plan.

Seek prompt review for rapidly increasing hair loss, painful or burning scalp, spreading redness, pustules, crusting, or smooth shiny areas where follicle openings appear reduced. Contact your clinician about troublesome effects during corticosteroid treatment, including marked mood change, severe stomach symptoms, vision change, or signs of infection. Sudden facial swelling or breathing difficulty needs urgent medical help.

Ask whether your scalp shows active inflammation, why injections or oral treatment is being considered, how response will be monitored, what side effects need reporting, and how to protect hair that has not been affected.