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Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2022Lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia are primary scarring alopecias where diagnosis can be suggested by clinical and trichoscopy features, especially in... (Review)
Review
Lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia are primary scarring alopecias where diagnosis can be suggested by clinical and trichoscopy features, especially in the early stages, but scalp biopsy is the standard exam for definitive diagnosis. Frontal fibrosing alopecia is considered a variant of lichen planopilaris, as the histopathological findings are similar, with a perifollicular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate, sometimes with a lichenoid pattern. A thorough clinical examination, trichoscopy and photographic documentation are essential to assess the evolution and therapeutic response. To date, there are no validated treatments or guidelines for these diseases, but there are recommendations that vary with the individual characteristics of each patient. This article presents a comprehensive review of the literature, including an update on topics related to the diagnosis, follow-up, histopathological aspects and available treatments for lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia, highlighting their similarities, differences and peculiarities.
Topics: Alopecia; Humans; Lichen Planus; Scalp; Scalp Dermatoses
PubMed: 35379508
DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.08.008 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Aug 2023Hair loss is devastating to the patient, but the diagnosis and treatment of alopecia are also difficult for primary care providers and even dermatologists. Given recent... (Review)
Review
Hair loss is devastating to the patient, but the diagnosis and treatment of alopecia are also difficult for primary care providers and even dermatologists. Given recent advances in the field, there has never been a more pressing time to reevaluate and improve upon the significant clinical skills needed to accurately diagnose and treat our patients with hair loss. This CME activity on alopecia is designed to (1) educate dermatologists in a simple, succinct fashion on the identification of, and the distinction between, the diverse types of hair loss and (2) discuss how to manage them.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia; Clinical Competence
PubMed: 37591559
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.05.048 -
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Feb 2020Female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) is a common cause of non-scarring alopecia in women. The onset may be at any age following puberty and the frequency increases with... (Review)
Review
Female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) is a common cause of non-scarring alopecia in women. The onset may be at any age following puberty and the frequency increases with age. Clinically, it shows a diffuse hair thinning over the central scalp, while the frontal hairline is usually retained. FAGA can have a significant psychological impact, leading to anxiety and depression. For this reason, early diagnosis is very important to stop the progression of the disease. The sex hormonal milieu is the main pathogenetic mechanism studied in FAGA. The role of androgens is not clearly defined and only one-third of women with FAGA show abnormal androgen levels. Endocrinological diseases with hyperandrogenism associated with FAGA comprise polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia, adrenal hyperplasia and, rarely, ovarian and adrenal tumours. Usually the diagnosis of FAGA is made clinically. A complete clinical examination and a blood examination can reveal other signs of hyperandrogenism. Trichoscopy shows the typical hair miniaturization. A scalp biopsy can be useful when the clinical evaluation does not provide a definitive diagnosis or when cicatricial alopecias with hair loss in the distribution of FAGA or alopecia areata are suspected. FAGA is a slowly progressive disease. The goal of therapy is to stop the progression and to induce a cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth. The most important drugs are topical minoxidil and oral anti-androgens. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on FAGA and to create a guideline on diagnosis and management of this frequent hair disease, not always easily recognizable from cicatricial alopecias with a similar distribution.
Topics: Alopecia; Androgen Antagonists; Disease Progression; Female; Hair; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Minoxidil
PubMed: 31677111
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-019-00479-x -
Histopathology Jan 2010Interpretation of the histopathological findings of primary scarring and non-scarring alopecias may prove daunting. This is especially true if the biopsy specimen is... (Review)
Review
Interpretation of the histopathological findings of primary scarring and non-scarring alopecias may prove daunting. This is especially true if the biopsy specimen is inadequate, and the clinical history and pattern of the alopecia are not known. Common forms of scarring alopecias discussed here are the lymphocytic (discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planopilaris, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, pseudopelade of Brocq), the neutrophilic (folliculitis decalvans, dissecting folliculitis), and the mixed (acne keloidalis) entities. The non-scarring alopecias reviewed are androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, trichotillomania and traction alopecia. In all cases of primary alopecia, adequate tissue sampling and appropriate laboratory processing, in combination with pertinent clinical information, provide the key to diagnosis.
Topics: Alopecia; Cicatrix; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Staining and Labeling
PubMed: 20055903
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2009.03439.x -
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Apr 2019Topical minoxidil is a well-known and often-utilized drug in dermatological practice for the treatment of alopecia. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug... (Review)
Review
Topical minoxidil is a well-known and often-utilized drug in dermatological practice for the treatment of alopecia. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in 1988. Since its approval, minoxidil has been used off-label for the treatment of many other types of alopecia, with minimal formal evidence of efficacy. Conditions for which the use of topical minoxidil has been reported include telogen effluvium, alopecia areata (AA), scarring alopecia, eyebrow hypotrichosis, monilethrix, and chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). The evidence for the use of minoxidil in each condition is derived from a variety of studies, including clinical trials, case series, and case reports. A comprehensive review of the literature indicates that while minoxidil is routinely used in the management of many alopecic conditions, there is mixed evidence for its efficacy. For certain conditions, including AA and most scarring alopecias, the evidence seems to be inconclusive. For others, such as eyebrow hypotrichosis, monilethrix, early traction alopecia, and CIA, there is more support for the efficacy of minoxidil. Although the favorable safety profile of minoxidil is established in adults, its use in the treatment of pediatric alopecia may require heightened monitoring and patient education.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Alopecia; Animals; Humans; Minoxidil; Off-Label Use; Treatment Outcome; Vasodilator Agents
PubMed: 30604379
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-018-0409-y -
Journal of the American Academy of... Aug 2023Trichoscopy is currently regarded as an essential part of the hair loss consultation. It allows visualization of morphologic structures that are not obvious to the naked... (Review)
Review
Trichoscopy is currently regarded as an essential part of the hair loss consultation. It allows visualization of morphologic structures that are not obvious to the naked eye, including peri- and interfollicular skin surface abnormalities and changes to hair shaft thickness and shape. In this paper, we aim to discuss current knowledge on trichoscopy of the most common forms of scarring and nonscarring alopecias.
Topics: Humans; Cicatrix; Alopecia; Hair; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 37591567
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.04.033 -
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD Apr 2018Currently, only topical minoxidil (MNX) and oral finasteride (FNS) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Currently, only topical minoxidil (MNX) and oral finasteride (FNS) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Although FNS is efficacious for hair regrowth, its systemic use is associated with side effects limiting long-term utilization. Exploring topical FNS as an alternative treatment regimen may prove promising.
METHODS
A search was conducted to identify studies regarding human in vivo topical FNS treatment efficacy including clinically relevant case reports, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and prospective studies.
RESULTS
Seven articles were included in this systematic review. In all studies, there was significant decrease in the rate of hair loss, increase in total and terminal hair counts, and positive hair growth assessment with topical FNS. Both scalp and plasma DHT significantly decreased with application of topical FNS; no changes in serum testosterone were noted.
CONCLUSION
Preliminary results on the use of topical FNS are limited, but safe and promising. Continued research into drug-delivery, ideal topical concentration and application frequency, side effects, and use for other alopecias will help to elucidate the full extent of topical FNS' use.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(4):457-463.
.Topics: 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; Administration, Topical; Alopecia; Drug Delivery Systems; Female; Finasteride; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29601622
DOI: No ID Found -
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E... Apr 2018Cicatricial alopecias (CAs) are clinical pathological conditions that result in the complete destruction of hair follicles, which are replaced by fibrotic structures.... (Review)
Review
Cicatricial alopecias (CAs) are clinical pathological conditions that result in the complete destruction of hair follicles, which are replaced by fibrotic structures. Clinically they are characterized by different inflammatory conditions resulting in the end stage in the complete disappearance of hair follicle and follicular ostia. CAs are classified in primary cicatricial alopecia (PCA) and secondary cicatricial alopecia (SCA). PCA include multiple inflammatory diseases with distinctive clinical and histopathologic features that primarily affect and destroy the hair follicle. On the other way, diseases classified as SCA include inflammatory and neoplastic conditions and physical traumas usually primarily affecting the dermis and causing secondary follicular destruction.
Topics: Alopecia; Cicatrix; Fibrosis; Hair Follicle; Humans; Inflammation
PubMed: 29368842
DOI: 10.23736/S0392-0488.18.05889-3 -
Journal Der Deutschen Dermatologischen... Apr 2018In the classification of the North American Hair Research Society, primary cicatricial alopecias (PCA) are divided into four groups according to their prominent... (Review)
Review
In the classification of the North American Hair Research Society, primary cicatricial alopecias (PCA) are divided into four groups according to their prominent inflammatory infiltrate: PCAs with lymphocytic, neutrophilic, mixed or nonspecific cell inflammation pattern. The hair loss can begin subclinically and progress slowly so that the exact onset of the disease is often difficult to determine. The diagnosis is often delayed. While most forms of cicatricial alopecia can be clearly diagnosed based on clinical presentation in the acute disease stage, diagnosis can be challenging in the subacute, early or late disease stages. At first presentation, a detailed patient history and dermatological examination of the body, including trichoscopy, should be performed. In clinically unclear cases, a biopsy should be performed. Due to the scarcity of primary cicatricial alopecia, there is little evidence on the efficacy of the various therapies. The aims of treatment are to stop or at least delay hair loss and progression of the scarring process, reduce clinical inflammation signs as well as to alleviate subjective symptoms. Hair re-growth in already scarred areas should not be expected. Anti-inflammatory treatment with topical corticosteroids class III to IV and / or with intracutaneous intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections can be considered in most of the primary cicatricial alopecias. The choice of systemic therapy depends on the type of predominant inflammatory infiltrate and includes antimicrobial, antibiotic or immunomodulating/immunosuppressive agents. Psychological support and camouflage techniques should be offered to the patients.
Topics: Alopecia; Biopsy; Coloring Agents; Combined Modality Therapy; Delayed Diagnosis; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Hair Follicle; Humans; Lymphocytes; Neutrophils; Scalp
PubMed: 29645394
DOI: 10.1111/ddg.13498 -
American Family Physician Mar 2003Alopecia can be divided into disorders in which the hair follicle is normal but the cycling of hair growth is abnormal and disorders in which the hair follicle is... (Review)
Review
Alopecia can be divided into disorders in which the hair follicle is normal but the cycling of hair growth is abnormal and disorders in which the hair follicle is damaged. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in women. Other disorders include alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, cicatricial alopecia, and traumatic alopecias. The diagnosis is usually based on a thorough history and a focused physical examination. In some patients, selected laboratory tests or punch biopsy may be necessary. Topically administered minoxidil is labeled for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women. Corticosteroids and other agents are typically used in women with alopecia areata. Telogen effluvium is often a self-limited disorder. Because alopecia can be devastating to women, management should include an assessment for psychologic effects.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Alopecia Areata; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Minoxidil; Triamcinolone Acetonide
PubMed: 12643360
DOI: No ID Found