Retrospective Review of Folliculitis Decalvans in 23 Patients with Course and Treatment Analysis of Long-standing Cases

Abstract

Background:

To date, there is no standard treatment of folliculitis decalvans (FD), a rare type of cicatricial alopecia.

Objective and Methods:

The records of 23 patients with FD (1998–2012) were retrospectively analyzed, with added data review on the course and treatment of long-standing cases.

Results:

Initial management consisted mostly of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide, clobetasol lotion, and either cephalexin, minocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline. Alternatives consisted of rifampicin, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, and isotretinoin. Remission was achieved in weeks to months in more than half of the cases, with low occurrence of relapse. The poor responders had a protracted course of temporary improvement and multiple relapses.

Conclusion:

The majority of patients showed improvement and subsequent remission with oral antibiotics. In some patients, it took years of slow taper before the antibiotic could be discontinued. Only a few patients had recalcitrant disease, with minimal response to their initial and alternative medications.