Characteristics of the Inflammatory Folliculitis Decalvans

Have you heard of folliculitis decalvans?  It is a deeper a hereditary form of inflammatory folliculitis that affects the whole follicular structure.  This may be an uncommon condition among Caucasians but is very much present among the black race.  In general, folliculitis is also seen as a secondary infection relative to eczema and scabies and is often in patients who are also suffering with diabetes, obesity, or those with immune deficiency or problems.  As an inflammatory condition of the head, this form of folliculitis can lead to baldness or the condition that is called alopecia.  But as the scalp is very sensitive, this condition can get worse and lead to the development of pustules, scales, and crusts.  Usually its occurrence begins at the central part of the head that gradually spreads all over the head.  Its pustules may be sore and leave scars and triggers hair loss.   Another characteristic of folliculitis decalvans is the existence of lesions in grid-like pattern in hairy parts of the body.  When a pustule ruptures, secondary lesion may develop or grow from it.

Favorable Conditions for the Development of Folliculitis Decalvans

But what triggers the development of pustules and lesions in folliculitis decalvans?  This condition is very much prevalent among people who are diabetic and are suffering from human immunodeficiency virus infection.  Such folliculitis within these types of people is likely to become infectious.  Because people with diabetes and HIV have reduced resistance and immunity, they have higher tendency to develop or become hosts of infectious and inflammatory folliculitis.  More pustules can develop also in areas of the skin where there may be repeated exposure to hair or follicular trauma such as in waxing, shaving or plucking.  Excessive sweating along with continues rubbing off of the hair follicles just as in tight clothing also will trigger the irritation and inflammation of the follicles.  Such inflammation is then called folliculitis decalvans when they are developing in areas all the characteristics of an inflammatory folliculitis are met.

Is there hope or cure of  folliculitis decalvans?

So far, and despite today’s modern and medical breakthroughs, there is no permanent cure yet for such condition.  There may be several regimen and therapies to reduce the occurrence of lesions and pustules growing around the hair follicles, but all of these are just dealing with the symptoms superficially.  Although taking both prescription drugs Rifampin and Clindamycin two times a day will likely reduce the occurrence or minimize the spread of folliculitis decalvans, it still does not promise a permanent solution to such condition.  However, there are studies that offer a glimmer of hope that a prolong treatment with Rifampin and Clindamycin will limit or control the spread of folliculitis to other parts of the body.  However, with those who are diabetic and having HIV infections, the control of such cumbersome condition is far less controllable despite the intervention of the two identified medicines.  It may be unfortunate that one catches or in certain conditions develop such a physical distraction, future medical breakthroughs are hoped to come up with permanent cure of folliculitis decalvans.