Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Explained

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a form of scarring hair loss that primarily involves the hair line at the front of the head and eyebrows. The condition mostly strikes postmenopausal women, although not exclusively so. The importance of early identification and management cannot be understated since FFA-caused hair loss is irreversible due to scarring. Information on what is frontal fibrosing alopecia helps identify the disease early and obtain proper treatment.

What Is Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?

As the name suggests, frontal fibrosing alopecia is an inflammatory disease that leads to damage of hair follicles and irreversible hair loss. The disorder is classified under the term lichen planopilaris, referring to a cluster of diseases that result in scarring alopecia. Hair follicles get destroyed and replace by scar tissue, which hinders hair growth.

The disease is generally characterized by a slow recession of the hair line at the front of the scalp but can also involve eyebrows, eyelashes, facial hair, and body hair.

What Are the Reasons for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?

The precise causes of frontal fibrosing alopecia are not known yet. But, according to the researchers, a few possible causes can be:

• Autoreactive responses

• Hereditary factors

• Hormonal changes, especially after menopause

• Environmental effects

• Some skin disorders

Additional research needs to be done to know more about its development.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms of the disease are:

• Slow receding of the forehead hairline

• Loss of eyebrow hairs

• Bald patches on the head scalp

• Irritation or burning sensations in the scalp

• Scaly and red skin around the hair follicles

• Smooth appearance of the skin due to the absence of hair

• Occurrence of facial acne in certain individuals

At-Risk Populations

• Post-menopausal women

• Individuals above 50 years of age

• Individuals with autoimmune diseases

• Individuals having a family history of scarring alopecia

Diagnosis of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

The following are the diagnostic methods that can be helpful in diagnosing this disorder:

• History and physical exam

• Scalp exam by dermatoscope

• Biopsy of skin

Treatments

Although there is no existing treatment available for this condition, the aim of the treatment is to decrease the development of the disease and also to control the inflammation. Some of the treatment methods can be:

• Topical steroid treatments

• Steroids injection

• Anti-inflammatory pills

• Hydroxychloroquine

• Finasteride or dutasteride in certain conditions

• Minoxidil applied topically to protect hair

The best choice for the treatment for you will be recommend by your dermatologist.

Is It Possible to Prevent This Condition?

Unfortunately, at the moment, there are no known ways to prevent the development of this condition. However, if you have an early medical check-up on the recession of the hairline or eyebrows, you will get an opportunity to start efficient treatment and delay further hair loss.

Conclusion

It is vital to know the details regarding the disease called frontal fibrosing alopecia as it causes the scarring of hair follicles and consequently leads to hair loss. The early detection of the following signs: receding hairline, loss of eyebrows and scalp inflammation can be helpful in diagnosing and treating this illness.