What is inflammatory alopecia?
Inflammatory alopecia is hair loss caused by persistent or chronic inflammation that damages or destroys hair follicles. It often presents with redness, scaling, or scalp discomfort.
Examples include lichen planopilaris and discoid lupus erythematosus. Inflammatory alopecia can lead to scarring if left untreated, making early intervention critical.
Red light therapy may help manage inflammation when paired with appropriate medical care by calming immune overactivity and promoting healing in early, non-scarring stages of inflammatory alopecia.
Related terms
Scalp blood flow
Clinical Applications
Scalp blood flow refers to the circulation of blood through the vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to the scalp and hair follicles.
Ketoconazole
Clinical Applications
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication commonly found in medicated shampoos.
Telogen effluvium
Clinical Applications
Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by diffuse hair shedding triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal changes.
Autoimmune Response
Clinical Applications
An autoimmune response is a malfunction of the immune system in which the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues, including hair follicles.
