Alopecia is the term used by doctors to refer to hair loss. It causes permanent hair loss by destroying the hair follicles, which are the holes out of which hair grows. There are many kinds of hair loss, but one is called frontal fibrosing alopecia.
It is possible to prevent the disease from spreading and causing more permanent baldness if it is diagnosed early and medical therapy is received from a board-certified dermatologist. The hair loss condition is known as frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) often develops gradually and frequently results in a narrow band of balding skin that extends along the sides and front of the hairline.
FFA has also been linked to hair loss in other body parts. You might have hair loss in any area of your body where you have hair. A significant number of persons experience the loss of part or all of their eyebrows. Some patients experience further hair loss as the condition progresses, including the loss of pubic hair, armpit hair, or legs and arms hair. Those who have facial hair can find that they have less hair growth in the beard region.
Is Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia a Very Uncommon Condition?
When the first people with this form of hair loss were found in the 1990s, FFA was thought to be an extremely unusual condition. FFA is a condition that affects people all over the world. The current day sees a swift increase in individuals identified as having FFA. Although women make up most FFA patients, men also have the condition.
When Does a Person Typically See the First Symptoms of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?
After menopause, a woman is most likely to be diagnosed with FFA. Most women experience hair loss anywhere from two to twelve years after they enter menopause. Additionally, FFA can be diagnosed at an earlier age in life. Black women may be the most likely to experience this. The participants’ ages varied from 28 to 85 years old in research focused on African American women who had FFA. Approximately half of these women diagnosed with FFA had not yet entered menopause at the time of their diagnosis.
What Is the Time Frame for The Progression of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?
The FFA tends to progress quite gradually. The first sign of follicular folliculitis alopecia that most people notice is a significant loss of eyebrow hair. It is also common for FFA to trigger sudden hair loss as opposed to thinning hair that occurs gradually over time. Some people, rather than experiencing a gradual receding hairline, have patches of hair thinning instead.
How Long Does the Fibrosing of The Frontal Region Last?
In the absence of medical therapy, FFA frequently results in permanent hair thinning that spreads over a wider area with the passage of each year. This gradually thinning hairline, which was initially difficult to detect, can eventually develop into a bald band that extends to the center of the head or back.
After a certain number of years, FFA does end for some participants. On the other hand, predicting which patients will have this experience is impossible.
Is It Possible to Reverse the Effects of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?
If the FFA is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, hair regrowth is likely. The hair follicles, the holes from which hair grows, become scarred over as FFA proceeds. Scarring prevents a hair follicle from ever producing new hair again after it has already done so.
Because of this, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests consulting a board-certified dermatologist as soon as possible when you notice the beginning stages of hair loss.
How Do Dermatologists Identify Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?
The dermatologist will perform the following tests to determine whether or not you are experiencing this form of hair loss:
- Conduct a careful inspection of the scalp, hairline, and eyebrows.
- Inquire as to how long you’ve been observing the hair loss.
- Inquire about symptoms such as itching and pain, and find out whether you have experienced hair loss in other areas of the body.
- Discuss your health, any medical concerns you may have, as well as any drugs you use.
- If the dermatologist has reason to believe that you suffer from FFA, they may recommend that you have a scalp biopsy.
Individuals affected with FFA may simultaneously experience more than one form of hair loss. For instance, a woman who suffers from FFA can also experience female-pattern baldness. The latter leads to a reduction in the amount of hair found on the scalp. A more comprehensive section is frequently the first indicator that something is wrong.
A scalp biopsy is typically the most reliable method for diagnosing any of these causes of hair loss. Some persons with FFA acquire little, raised patches on the face that resemble pimples. These spots can be seen anywhere on the face. Your dermatologist will advise treatment if it is determined that you have FFA after conducting the exam and obtaining the biopsy findings.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Patients with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia?
If you suffer from FFA, treatment may include the following:
- Put a stop to the progression of the hair loss, which will help avoid further and more permanent hair loss.
- Reduce uncomfortable sensations such as itching and pain
- The treatment plan will be tailored specifically to meet your requirements by your dermatologist. Combining different kinds of treatment is standard practice in medicine because it usually yields the best patient results.
- Studies have shown that incorporating either finasteride or dutasteride in the treatment regimen can stop the progression of hair loss.
According to the findings of one trial, both of these drugs could stop the progression of FFA in patients by preventing future hair loss. A small amount of hair regrowth was observed in almost half of the participants in this study.
If your doctor recommends using this medication as part of your treatment, you should take one dose daily. You have to keep taking the drug daily if you want to keep obtaining the same outcomes.
Conclusion
The patient, family, and the medical staff should communicate well to arrive at an accurate assessment. In addition, decisions regarding the client’s health care could be made jointly, which benefits the patient’s overall quality of life and health.