Lichen Planopilaris LLP
Lichen Planopilaris LLP
Lichen Planopilais LLP is a relatively rare chronic ‘scarring’ folliculitis of the scalp of unknown cause. It is considered a ‘scarring’ alopecia as, if left untreated, it may cause permanent hair loss.
70 – 80% of patients are women – almost all postmenopausal (average age 53), and almost all caucasian.
A mostly ‘patchy’ but very symptomatic hair loss develops on the scalp and progresses in a random irregular pattern with the eventual merging of hairless patches.
Occasionally LPP presents as a more ‘general thinning of hair across the top of the head’ – which then spreads to other areas of the scalp.
Redness and scaling around the base of the hair, especially at the edges of hair loss patches, combined with a loss of follicle openings are common signs.
During the active stage, the scalp may have papules (red, inflamed bumps) and have what appears to be a small collar or tube-like extensions exiting the follicle around the hair shaft (visible through magnification).
Symptoms are usually pronounced with:
- pruritus (itching)
- pain
- severe burning sensation
- tenderness
LPP is an autoimmune condition and can benefit from a range of both Trichological and Dermatological treatments. Hair loss can be managed once a correct diagnosis has been established.
A detailed scalp analysis, clinical analysis, and a “positive anagen pull test” will help to diagnose this disease (pulling on 10 – 20 hairs with moderate slow finger traction will show the release of a greater number of hairs with a higher number of anagen rather than telogen bulbs).
