Cicatricial alopecia
Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia, also known as scarring alopecia, is a diverse group of rare disorders that destroy the hair follicle, replace it with scar tissue, and cause permanent hair loss.
Pronunciation
sih-ka-trish-ul al-oh-pee-sha
Etymology
The term "cicatricial" comes from the Latin "cicatrix" meaning "scar". "Alopecia" is also Latin, derived from the Greek "alopex" meaning "fox", as foxes were believed to suffer from hair loss.
Definition
Cicatricial alopecia refers to a group of conditions that cause irreversible, permanent hair loss. In these conditions, the hair follicles are destroyed and replaced with scar tissue, which prevents the growth of new hair.
Types
There are two types of cicatricial alopecia: primary and secondary. In primary cicatricial alopecia, the hair follicle is the target of the destructive process. In contrast, secondary cicatricial alopecia involves destruction of the hair follicle by an external process or agent such as severe infections, burns, radiation, or tumors.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cicatricial alopecia can vary depending on the specific disorder causing the condition. Common symptoms include hair loss, itching, pain, and redness. In some cases, rapid hair loss may occur.
Treatment
Treatment for cicatricial alopecia aims to halt progression of the disease and relieve symptoms. This may involve anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, or surgery in some cases.
Related Terms
- Hair follicle
- Hair loss
- Primary cicatricial alopecia
- Secondary cicatricial alopecia
- Alopecia areata
- Androgenetic alopecia
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cicatricial alopecia
- Wikipedia's article - Cicatricial alopecia
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