SCLERODERMA HAIR LOSS

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease. In the early stages of scleroderma in the skin, inflammatory cells can be seen in the dermis. However, this inflammation gradually diminishes over time as the skin becomes increasingly abnormal. Scleroderma involves a gradual hardening and tightening of the skin due to excessive collagen production. The excessive collagen stops the normal functioning of hair follicles in a way that might be described as 'suffocation' or 'strangulation'. Although there is a lot of collagen in the skin and there is a trophy of affected hair follicles, there is very little actual scar tissue formation.

Excess collagen production occurs in patches and consequently hair loss also develops in distinct areas. The first symptoms of localized skin scleroderma in hair bearing areas may involve a premature graying of the hair shortly followed by hair loss. When hair loss occurs on the scalp in a linear fashion it is given the description 'en coup de sabre'. It was apparantly given this name because the strip of hair loss resembles the scar of a sabre cut. Treatment of en coup de sabre involves surgery to remove the affected area of skin. Hair loss may be progressive with patches gradually expanding in size over years.

There can be many reasons for hair loss please click on the links below to read about hair loss causes.

Celiac Disease associated Alopecia Hair Loss	Psoriasis Hair Loss
Diffuse Hair Loss	Scalp Ring Worm Hair Loss
Female Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenic Alopecia)	Scarring Alopecia Hair Loss
Folliculitis Decalvans Hair Loss	Scleroderma Hair Loss
Folliculitis Hair Loss	Seborrhoeic Dermatitus / Eczema Hair Loss
Lichen Planopilaris Hair Loss	Telogen Effluvium Hair Loss
Lichen Planus Hair Loss	Trichotillomania Hair Loss
Lupus Hair Loss