Understanding the type of hair loss you have is always important. One type of hair loss many men and women experience is called frontal fibrosing alopecia. It is a form of scarring alopecia that results in hair loss in the frontal region of the scalp. The condition can be hard to treat in some people. If you are experiencing any type of hair loss in this area, take a closer look at what this type of alopecia is.
What Are the Symptoms of Fibrosing Alopecia?
The most common people to be affected by this type of alopecia are women who are post menopause and who are over the age of 50. The most common feature of this type of hair loss is a symmetrical band that runs across the front of the head and down the sides of the scalp. There is significant hair loss in these areas. It can also cause a loss of eyebrows in many people. Another key feature is the edging near this specific line of hair loss. It generally will appear with thinning hair, even areas where there just a few hairs left. This is often called “moth-eaten.” The bald area may seem to be expanding because of this, but that is not always the case.
Also common in frontal fibrosing alopecia is changes to the skin in these areas. In many people, the skin can look normal but may be off color and pale. In others, the skin may have small scars and follicles that do not look like they are open. Some people experience skin that looks shiny in these areas as well. Right along the edge, many will have scaling at the hair follicles as well as areas of redness.
It is also possible to see other changes in these areas. Some women will develop female pattern hair loss and are often mistaken for that condition. Additionally, white dots may form. In other areas, very few symptoms of the condition exist, making it hard to diagnose.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia differs from traction alopecia. Both conditions lead to smaller, miniaturized follicles. However, traction alopecia generally results in broken hairs at various lengths in the affected area whereas frontal fibrosing alopecia does not.
What Causes Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?
It is not known what the exact cause of this condition is. However, most dermatologists and researchers believe it occurs as an immune response. In addition, because it often occurs after menopause often leads to a cause being related to hormonal changes in a person. It may also be brought on by external factors.
What Are the Treatment Options for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition. There are some treatment options that may help. For example, doctors may recommend the use of a short course of oral steroids. This can help to stop the progression of the condition in some people. Anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics are a common treatment option. This may include antimalarial tablets as well as tetracyclines. These treatment options seem to be most beneficial to people who have rapid onset conditions. In some people, the condition can occur quickly, though it is less common. Some women may also benefit from the use of dutasteride treatments. This type of treatment can help to prevent further hair loss when it is used early on.
In most people, frontal fibrosing alopecia takes time to progress. As a result, those who think they may have it should approach their dermatologist early on in the hopes of obtaining a treatment option that prevents significant hair loss from occurring. As a slowly progressing it may be hard to notice at first. However, those who have it can see significant improvement with treatment to slow the progression.
For many people who suffer from frontal fibrosing alopecia, the condition will stabilize after progressing for a few years. It only impacts the frontal area of the head, and, once that hair is lost, it generally does not spread further. However, it is very important for individuals to seek out treatment as soon as possible to help slow this type of progression and to prevent the most significant hair loss from occurring. Due to the permanent hair loss that results from frontal fibrosing alopecia it is important to learn your options to restore the hair that has been lost. If you or someone you know has frontal fibrosing alopecia, please contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts to learn more about our hair restoration options.