Pseudo-Pelade of Brocq
Overview
Pseudopelade of Brocq is really rare skin disorder indeed. Initially discovered by Brocq in 1888 as suspected to be a condition similar to Alopecia Areata, he concluded that this disease is quite different from the latter. This condition is defined as a variant or combination of the later stages of Scarring Alopecia like Discoid Lupus and Lichen Planopilaris.
Symptoms
This condition has very strange symptoms. Sufferers from this condition might not know it at all. Small, discrete and yet smooth round patches without hardening or swelling are developed in the scalp area. These plagues are usually in lighter color than your skin. Over time, the bald patches will combine together to form larger patches. Although you won't feel any other symptoms, your hair follicles will at that area will degenerate and die over time and will start to notice balding patches.
Causes
It is not understood how or why this disease occurs, although some dermatologists suspect it is another autoimmune-based hair loss. The mechanism could be caused by a destructive inflammation process involving the upper outer root hair sheath (outer area of the skin that covers the hair follicle) including the area of the bulge which houses the follicular stem cells.
Treatment
As the cause of this diseases is still unknown, pinpointing this problem is quite hard since there are no obvious signs of inflammation of the scalp. That in return presents problem to define a specific course of treatment and other measures to control the disease. Hair Pull Test One method to identifying the disease is through a hair pull test to see the extent of hair loss and treat that particular area immediately. Your doctor can identify the area affected by 1. Grab hold an area of the hair. 2. Softly pulls it to see how many hairs fall out. 3. By calculating the rate of ANAGEN and TELOGEN hair the doctor can estimate the approximate amount of hair that should come out easily (usually the TELOGEN hairs will come out easily). 4. If abnormal amounts of hair in a specific area fall out, it might indicate inflammation. Medication Varying degrees of success have been claimed with use of topical * corticosteroids * intralesional triamcinolone acetonide * prednisone * hydroxy-chloroquine and isotretinoin Treating this condition is not easy at all. To know whether the condition is under control, your doctor will usually continue with the pull test. If the hair stops falling, it can indicate a recovery from the condition and the drugs usage can be withdrawn.