2009-11-11 13:39:24 -

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Lichen planopilaris is the specific name given to lichen planus in a hair bearing region of skin (usually the scalp) that may cause permanent, scarring alopecia. In fact, up to 40% of scarring alopecia cases that an expert will see are due to lichen planopilaris. Lichen planopilaris presents itself primarily in middle-aged adults, but there are case reports detailing lichen

planopilaris in individuals as young as 13 years old.


Causes of Lichen Planopilaris


Lichen planopilaris is a poorly understood form of hair loss and there is much confusion in distinguishing it from systemic lupus erythematosus, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and another disease called mixed inflammatory destructive alopecia. Some experts claim that lichen planopilaris is the same as pseudopelade however, the majority of experts believe there are subtle distinctions between the two diseases.

Signs and Symptoms of Lichen Planopilaris


The hair loss caused by lichen planopilaris presents itself as distinct patches of hair loss that may expand and coalesce over time. The condition develops so slowly that even after several years of the disease the patches of alopecia may be small and inconspicuous.

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