Cicatricial alopecia is a loss of hair associated with scarring and destruction of hair follicles.
Conditions that can result in cicatricial alopecia:
(1) trauma
(2) chemical, radiation or thermal burns
(3) systemic lupus erythematosus
(4) lichen planopilaris (associated with lichen planus)
Clinical features:
(1) area of alopecia determined by distribution of the underlying cause
(2) dense consistency to the skin due to associated fibrosis
(3) no regrowth of hair
A skin biopsy in the affected area shows:
(1) loss of hair follicles
(2) dense fibrosis and scarring
