Living with Lichen planopilaris
An inflammatory condition of the scalp and hair that can cause itching, redness, and scarring hair loss.
Understanding Lichen planopilaris
Signs include scaly, red skin around hair follicles, bald patches, and pain, burning, or itching on the scalp. It can cause scarring that leads to permanent hair loss. It usually begins in adulthood. There are three forms that differ by pattern and location.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Itching
- Redness and scaly skin around hair follicles
- Small red bumps (papules)
- Pain or burning on the scalp
- Nail changes
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Autoimmune Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Autoimmune Association
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The cause is unknown. GARD says it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder of the hair follicles.
Also known as: follicular lichen planus; lichen follicularis; lichen planus follicularis; lpp
Patient organizations
- Autoimmune AssociationLichen planopilaris · United States
- Scarring Alopecia FoundationLichen planopilaris · United States
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Lichen planopilaris.
Explore research for Lichen planopilaris
Explore actively recruiting Lichen planopilaris studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Lichen planopilaris with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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