Primary cicatricial alopecia

Abstract

• Group of largely uncommon disorders. • Result from primary destruction of the hair follicle, often affecting the scalp. • Cause and pathogenesis incompletely understood. • Clinical hallmark loss of follicular ostia. • Classified provisionally by primary inflammatory cell infiltrate. • Prompt intervention key to thwarting continued hair loss. • In general, formal, controlled studies on treatment are lacking. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.