LICHEN PLANOPILARIS (LPP)
Other names: follicular lichen planus
What is lichen planopilaris (LPP)?
- This is a type of scarring hair loss condition.
- The hair loss in the bald areas is permanent
- It is one of the most common causes of scarring alopecia
Who gets lichen planopilaris (LPP)?
- Adults of all ethnic backgrounds
- Females are two times more likely than males to get LPP (but both are affected)
What is the cause of lichen planopilaris?
- The cause remains unknown.
- Stress may contribute to worsening of itching burning or pain for some people but does not appear to be a cause.
What are the symptoms of lichen planopilaris (LPP)?
- In general patients with lichen planopilaris may have itching of the scalp and some may have increased hair shedding.
- They may also have burning, pain and tenderness in the scalp.
- Some patients note that the scalp is tender when the hairs are moved.
- There may be redness in the scalp and some scale.
How does the doctor arrive at the diagnosis of lichen planopilaris?
- Several features lead to this diagnosis, including areas of scarring hair loss, some redness and scale around the hair follicles, and findings on the biopsy showing inflammation, loss of the fat glands and scarring around the hair follicles
How is lichen planopilaris treated?
- The goal of treatment is to stop the disease.
- Hair regrowth in the bald areas is not possible in most cases.
- Even with treatment, some hair loss can still occur, albeit very slowly.
MAIN TREATMENTS:
- Pills may be used such as Doxycycline, Plaquenil, Isotretinoin (Accutane), Mycophenolate mofetil
- Injection of steroids into the affected areas of the scalp may be advised
- Use of topical medicines you apply yourself at home may also be advised (Clobetasol, Tacrolimus (Protopic)
- Sometimes, hair transplantation can be performed if the disease become "quiet"
How long will I be on these treatments?
- Your disease will be carefully monitored by your physician
- If the disease does not appear to be spreading, the doses of medications will be reduced and possibly stopped.
- However, if there is any evidence the disease is increasing, increased doses or even new medications may be prescribed.
- This is a type of scarring hair loss condition.
- The hair loss in the bald areas is permanent
- It is one of the most common causes of scarring alopecia
Who gets lichen planopilaris (LPP)?
- Adults of all ethnic backgrounds
- Females are two times more likely than males to get LPP (but both are affected)
What are the symptoms of lichen planopilaris (LPP)?
- In general patients with lichen planopilaris may have itching of the scalp and some may have increased hair shedding.
- They may also have burning, pain and tenderness in the scalp.
- Some patients note that the scalp is tender when the hairs are moved.
- There may be redness in the scalp and some scale.
How does the doctor arrive at the diagnosis of lichen planopilaris?
- Several features lead to this diagnosis, including areas of scarring hair loss, some redness and scale around the hair follicles, and findings on the biopsy showing inflammation, loss of the fat glands and scarring around the hair follicles
How is lichen planopilaris treated?
- The goal of treatment is to stop the disease.
- Hair regrowth in the bald areas is not possible in most cases.
- Even with treatment, some hair loss can still occur, albeit very slowly.
MAIN TREATMENTS:
- Pills may be used such as Doxycycline, Plaquenil, Isotretinoin (Accutane), Mycophenolate mofetil
- Injection of steroids into the affected areas of the scalp may be advised
- Use of topical medicines you apply yourself at home may also be advised (Clobetasol, Tacrolimus (Protopic)
- Sometimes, hair transplantation can be performed if the disease become "quiet"
How long will I be on these treatments?
- Your disease will be carefully monitored by your physician
- If the disease does not appear to be spreading, the doses of medications will be reduced and possibly stopped.
- However, if there is any evidence the disease is increasing, increased doses or even new medications may be prescribed.