Alopecia due to inflammation of the scalp

Last Updated: 2023-07-07

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: ED70.5Y

Inflammatory diseases of the scalp can lead to hair loss. Here it is essential to treat the underlying disease, after which the hair coat will usually recover completely. 

Alopecia can be caused by inflammation of the hair follicle. Possible triggering diseases are:

  • Psoriasis vulgaris
  • Atopic eczema
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis 
  • Psorioasis capillitii 

Signs of the respective underlying disease are diagnosable. 

Anamnesis

Clinic

In certain patients, a skin biopsy may be useful to exclude other differential diagnoses.

Depending on the suspected underlying disease, the diagnostic tools designed for this purpose should be used. 

Depending on the underlying disease. 

Inflammatory skin conditions should be enquired about. 

  1. Piérard-Franchimont C, Piérard GE., Rev Med Liege. 2014 Dec;69(12):686-91.,[Your patient complains about hair loss. Contribution of a skin biopsy in noncicatricial alopecias].