Cicatricial Alopecia (Scarring Alopecia)
What is Cicatricial Alopecia (Scarring Alopecia)
Cicatricial alopecia, also called scarring alopecia, is a rare group of hair disorders where hair follicles are permanently destroyed and replaced by scar tissue. Unlike other types of alopecia, the hair loss here is irreversible because the follicle itself is damaged.
Causes / Risk Factors
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus erythematosus, lichen planopilaris)
- Severe infections of scalp (bacterial, fungal, viral)
- Trauma, burns, radiation, surgery
- Genetic conditions (rare)
Clinical Features:
- Gradual or patchy hair loss with smooth, shiny, scarred scalp
- Loss is permanent in affected areas
- May present with itching, burning, pain, or redness before scarring develops
- No visible follicular openings in scarred patches
- Progression may be slow or rapid depending on cause
Conventional Management:
- Corticosteroids (oral or topical) to suppress inflammation
- Immunosuppressants (e.g., hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate)
- Antibiotics in infectious causes
- Hair transplantation (sometimes possible in stable cases, but results vary)
- Generally, damage is permanent, and treatment focuses on halting progression rather than regrowth
Homeopathic Perspective
In homeopathy, treatment is aimed at controlling the underlying cause (autoimmunity, inflammation, infections) and preventing further destruction of follicles.
Although complete regrowth in scarred areas is not possible, homeopathy helps in:
- Slowing or halting progression
- Preserving existing healthy hair
- Improving scalp health and comfort (itching, burning, pain)
- Supporting immunity and reducing autoimmune triggers
Common Homeopathic Medicines:
- Graphites – Dry, rough scalp, oozing eruptions, loss of hair with patchy baldness and scarring tendency.
- Kali Sulphuricum – Scaly scalp conditions with progressive baldness.
- Arsenicum Album – Burning, itching scalp; autoimmune-related hair fall.
- Phosphorus – Diffuse thinning, sensitive scalp, tendency to hair loss after inflammatory conditions.
- Silicea – For chronic, slow-healing scalp infections leading to scarring and hair loss.
- Fluoric Acid – Hair loss from cicatricial changes, brittle regrowth in unaffected areas.
Prognosis
Regeneration of scarred follicles is not possible, but progression can often be controlled.
- Helps preserve remaining hair and prevent new patches.
- Relieves associated symptoms (burning, pain, itching).
- Provides a holistic approach to underlying autoimmune or chronic inflammatory tendencies.
