Bald patches? Perhaps this is a manifestation of a pseudo-pelade

Hair loss associated with the development of a disease usually has some characteristic features, according to which a trichologist can suggest a diagnosis. One of these diseases – Pseudopelada, which got its name from the typical rounded patches of alopecia resembling alopecia areata. However, pseudopelade refers to atrophic alopecia - the hair that has fallen out is no longer restored due to the replacement of the follicles with scar tissue. Read about the typical features of the development of this disease and the principles of its treatment at estet-portal.com.

Typical signs of pseudopelade development in patients

Pseudopelade was first described by the researcher Brock at the end of the 19th century, and since then the disease has been named after him. Broca's pseudopelade is one of the manifestations of cicatricial alopecia, when the hair follicles gradually and irrevocably atrophy. The reasons for the development of this disease are unclear, it usually affects people aged 35-40 years, and women suffer much more often.

The disease develops gradually, progresses slowly, the first small atrophic foci appear on the parietal and upper occipital part of the head, so the patient does not pay attention to them for a long time, does not immediately seek help.

Foci of hair loss with pseudopelade gradually acquire irregular outlines and merge, forming extensive areas of baldness.

Pseudopelade has several very characteristic features that make it easier for the doctor to make a diagnosis:

• two hairs grow from one follicle,
• A pale pink corolla is visible around the affected hair follicle, and keratosis can be seen at the mouth of the follicle,
• a hair pulled out from the affected area resembles a burnt match in appearance, since the hair root is atrophied.

The boundaries of the lesions in pseudopellad are very clear, on other plots of the scalp, foci of peeling, sometimes hard crusts, can be determined by palpation.

At first, perifollicular hyperemia is observed on the skin of the affected areas, then atrophy occurs – the skin is yellowish in color, smooth, thin, easily folded. Sometimes in the area of ​​baldness or between foci of hair loss & nbsp; individual hairs or tufts of hair are preserved. In place of the fallen hairs, scars are formed – groups, sometimes chaotically. The process of hair loss is slow and chronic, but may stop spontaneously. Complete baldness does not occur.

Principles of pseudopellad therapy and disease prognosis

Histological examination reveals cicatricial changes in the dermis,  external characteristic symptoms complement the clinical picture of the disease. Pseudopellad should be differentiated from lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, lichen planus.

It is not possible to restore lost hair with pseudopelade, since the hair follicles atrophy.

However, the application  various therapeutic agents will help to significantly slow down the progression of the disease.  A good effect is given by the appointment of oxacillin and lidase by repeated courses, the use of delagil for a month, the use of local corticosteroid ointments. An injection course of B vitamins, vitamins A and E are recommended. Local administration of electrophoresis with Ronidase, butadione ointment is possible.

There are breaks of six weeks between courses of treatment, a total of 3-6 courses are recommended depending on the patient's condition. With careful adherence to the doctor's recommendations, hair loss can be stopped and the spread of baldness slowed down. But the hair in the affected areas will not grow, so in the future it is possible to consider surgical methods of hair transplantation.