Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Folliculitis Decalvans Looks LikeCausesTreatmentShampoosOutlook
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Folliculitis Decalvans Looks Like
Causes
Treatment
Shampoos
Outlook
Folliculitisdelcavans is a rarechronicailment that often affects the scalp. It is an inflammatory problem that destroys hair follicles, leaving scars that result inalopecia (hair loss).
This problem usually appears as red, swollen, and scaly patches on your scalp. Symptoms can range from mild to extreme pain.
This article describes folliculitis delcavans symptoms, causes, treatments, and outlook.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Symptoms of Folliculitis Decalvans
Symptoms are usually confined to the scalp. Rarely, the problem can affect other areas of hair such as the beard area, pubic area, armpits, and legs.
Common symptoms of folliculitis decalvans include the following:
What Causes Folliculitis Decalvans?
The cause of folliculitis decalvans is unknown. Research indicates that the problem may occur due to a reaction to a bacterium calledStaphylococcus aureus.This bacterium is often found when affected areas are swabbed.
For most people, this doesn’t cause a problem. The bacterium occurs naturally on your skin.
Despite its appearance, folliculitis decalvans is notskin cancer. Though it is linked with a specific bacterium and often improves with antibiotics, the problem is not considered contagious.
Common Triggers for Folliculitis DecalvansFolliculitis may be triggered when the hair follicle becomes damaged or blocked. This can occur when the follicle rubs against clothing or shaving, leaving the damaged hair follicle susceptible to infection.The cause of folliculitis decalvans is not understood. The following circumstances have been identified as possible triggers, though they have not been proved as causes:Abnormal immune response toStaphylococcus aureusMales, usually in their 40s and 50sFamily history of the condition
Common Triggers for Folliculitis Decalvans
Folliculitis may be triggered when the hair follicle becomes damaged or blocked. This can occur when the follicle rubs against clothing or shaving, leaving the damaged hair follicle susceptible to infection.The cause of folliculitis decalvans is not understood. The following circumstances have been identified as possible triggers, though they have not been proved as causes:Abnormal immune response toStaphylococcus aureusMales, usually in their 40s and 50sFamily history of the condition
Folliculitis may be triggered when the hair follicle becomes damaged or blocked. This can occur when the follicle rubs against clothing or shaving, leaving the damaged hair follicle susceptible to infection.
The cause of folliculitis decalvans is not understood. The following circumstances have been identified as possible triggers, though they have not been proved as causes:
Treatment for Folliculitis Decalvans
For most people, treatment involves a combination of topical solutions and/or oral antibiotics. It is a lengthy process because this condition can return after a course of successful therapy and trigger a recurrence of symptoms.
There is no specific treatment approved for folliculitis decalvans, so there is a wide range of approaches. The following therapies are the most common:
Antibiotics
Systemic antibiotics are regarded as the first-line treatment for folliculitis decalvans because they can eradicateStaphylococcus aureus. Though these treatments can be effective, symptoms often relapse after the interruption of therapy. Antibiotic resistance is also a concern with long-term use.
The following antibiotics are the most common:
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroidscan help manage symptoms of itching, pain, and inflammation. They are also effective in treating the scar tissue common with folliculitis decalvans.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are applied directly to your skin to ensure that the medication is administered where it is needed. These products may be appropriate when you want to avoid the side effects of systemic medications or boost the results of oral therapy.
Topical treatments come in a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription medications. They are available in formulas that include gels, ointments, lotions, creams, foams, and sprays. Some of the most common topical treatments for folliculitis decalvans include:
Topical antibiotics:
Topical corticosteroids:
Topical antiseptics:
Topicalretinoids:
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)directs natural or artificial light to the site of the folliculitis decalvans. Studies show this treatment can succeed in stabilizing the condition and decreasing symptoms in some people. Tolerance of this treatment may be an issue for some.
Shampoos for Folliculitis Decalvans
There is a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription shampoos available. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the product that might work best for you.
Antiseptic shampoos or those containing tar can help eradicate the bacterium linked with the condition. These products typically supplement systemic or topical therapy.
Outlook for Folliculitis Decalvans
The outlook for folliculitis decalvans is generally favorable. This condition often responds well to treatment. Results can usually deliver a noticeable cosmetic improvement.
However, folliculitis may return or spread to other body areas even if it is resolved at one site. In some people, the disease may progress slowly over time and continue to flare for months or years.
Though treatments may improve symptoms, dealing with a chronic condition that affects your appearance can be challenging. It can have a negative impact on your quality of life for the following reasons:
Summary
Folliculitis delcavans is a rare ailment that causes red, swollen patches on your scalp. The patches destroy your hair follicles, causing scars and permanent hair loss at the affected sites.
While there is no known cause, the problem is linked to a bad response toStaphylococcus A. bacteria. It is believed that the bacteria trigger an extreme immune response that causes symptoms.
Treatments can reduce symptoms and slow the damage to hair follicles. The nature and chronic course of this problem can also have a negative impact on those who have it. Enduring long-term treatment only to have the problem recur can be difficult. This can also have an impact on your self-image and affect your quality of life.
Working with your healthcare provider and a counselor can help you manage the mind and body aspects of this problem. Despite its long course, the outlook is good for most cases.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NYU Langone Health.Types of hair loss.
British Association of Dermatologists.Folliculitis decalvans.
Fabris MR, Melo CP, Melo DF.Folliculitis decalvans: the use of dermatoscopy as an auxiliary tool in clinical diagnosis.An Bras Dermatol. 2013;Sep-Oct;88(5):814-6. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132129
Penn Medicine.Folliculitis.
The Primary Care Dermatology Society.Folliculitis decalvans.
Rakowska A.A 36-year-old man with inflammatory lesions and crusts on the scalp. In: Waśkiel-Burnat A, Sadoughifar R, Lotti TM, Rudnicka L, eds.Clinical Cases in Scalp Disorders. Springer International Publishing; 2022:43-46.
Coondoo A, Phiske M, Verma S, Lahiri K.Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(4):416-425. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.142483
Pimenta R, Borges-Costa J.Successful treatment with fusidic acid in a patient with folliculitis decalvans.Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2019;27(1):49-50. doi:
Pindado-Ortega C, Saceda-Corralo D, Miguel-Gómez L, et al.Impact of folliculitis decalvans on quality of life and subjective perception of disease.Skin Appendage Disord. 2018;4(1):34-36. doi:10.1159/000478053
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
