What Does Folliculitis Decalvans Look Like?

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Key Takeaways
• Folliculitis decalvans causes red, swollen, and scaly patches on the scalp that can result in hair loss and scarring.

• Treatment often includes oral antibiotics and topical products to manage symptoms, but there is no cure.

• Regrowth of hair lost to folliculitis decalvans is rarely possible.

Folliculitis decalvans is a rare long-term condition that commonly affects the scalp.
It is an inflammation issue that damages hair follicles, leading to scars and hair loss.

This condition usually appears as red, swollen, and scaly areas on the scalp.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe pain.

There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed.
Treatment may vary from person to person and often includes oral antibiotics and topical treatments that help control symptoms and prevent more hair loss. It is rarely possible to regrow hair that was lost due to folliculitis decalvans.

This article explains the symptoms, causes, treatments, and outlook of folliculitis decalvans.

Symptoms of Folliculitis Decalvans
Symptoms of folliculitis decalvans can vary from person to person.
Some people may not feel any pain.

Symptoms usually occur on the scalp.
In rare cases, the problem can also affect other areas where there is hair, such as the beard, pubic area, armpits, and legs.

Common symptoms of folliculitis decalvans include the following:
• Redness and swelling
• Pimples around hair follicles
• Scaly areas, scabs, or crusts
• Pus-filled bumps
• Itching
• Pain
• Inflamed scalp
• Bleeding
• Yellow pus-like discharge
• Growth of multiple hairs from the same hair follicle, forming small tufts that look like toothbrush bristles
• Bald patches later on
• Scarring
• Hair loss