Folliculitis keloidalis is an unusual combination of folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicle) and cicatricial alopecia. It affects most commonly the nape of the neck close to the hairline and it appears like acne in the form of itchy small bumps. Over time, mostly due to scratching, scars are formed over those lesions that eventually become hairless keloids. It is argued that this condition is due to ingrown hairs, trauma or bacterial infection.
Cicatricial alopecia demands very serious and persistent approach in its treatment. Diagnosis is critical in order to begin treatment as early as possible to get the inflammatory process under control before destroying more follicles. Once the inflammation has stopped, hair restoration can take place to restore areas where hair loss remains.
