Follicular Melanocytes in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: An Immunohistochemical Study With Trichoscopic Correlation.

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia that affects the frontotemporal hairline. Clinically, it may develop with cutaneous hypopigmentation of the affected areas, which has been associated with a reduction in the epidermal melanocyte count. In trichoscopy, peripilar white halos can be observed, which have been associated with fibrosis in other scarring alopecias. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the trichoscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the peripilar white halos in FFA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study that included 12 patients with FFA presenting peripilar white halos. Two 2-mm punch trichoscopy-guided biopsies were performed in all patients, one fragment for vertical section and another for horizontal section. The vertical sections were stained with Fontana-Mason and Melan-A. RESULTS: On trichoscopic examination, peripilar white halos ≤ 1 mm in size were observed on the affected scalp. In vertical sections, a reduction in basal melanin pigmentation and a decrease in the melanocyte count in the upper segment of the hair follicle were observed with Fontana-Masson staining and Melan-A immunostaining, respectively. LIMITATIONS: The small sample size and absence of a control group. CONCLUSION: This study shows follicular melanocyte involvement in FFA, and this finding may be associated with the peripilar white halos observed in trichoscopy.

Trichoteiromania: Good Response to Treatment with N-Acetylcysteine.

Lichen simplex chronicus on the scalp, also known as trichoteiromania, can be difficult to manage, as the therapeutic options are limited to topical or intralesional glucocorticoids. We describe a patient with trichoteiromania, presenting three lichenified pruriginous plaques on different regions of the scalp, associated with fracture and loss of hair shafts. Prior treatment with potent topical glucocorticoids was ineffective. However, treatment with oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 1,200 mg/day resulted in complete hair regrowth within 16 weeks. NAC is a safe drug with a good tolerance profile that could be a therapeutic option for patients with trichoteiromania. The potential of NAC has not been completely elucidated, thus more studies will be necessary to confirm its efficacy in the long term for some psychodermatological conditions.