Alopecia mucinosa (also known as "Follicular mucinosis," "Mucinosis follicularis",
"Pinkus' follicular mucinosis,"
and "Pinkus' follicular mucinosis–benign primary form"
) is a
skin disorder that generally presents, but not exclusively, as
erythematous
Erythema (from the Greek , meaning red) is redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation. Examples of erythema not assoc ...
plaques or flat patches without hair primarily on the
scalp
The scalp is the anatomical area bordered by the human face at the front, and by the neck at the sides and back.
Structure
The scalp is usually described as having five layers, which can conveniently be remembered as a mnemonic:
* S: The ski ...
, neck and face.
[Freedberg, et al. (2003). ''Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine''. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. .] This can also be present on the body as a follicular mucinosis and may represent a systemic disease.
Alopecia mucinosa occurs when mucinous material accumulates in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. This triggers an inflammatory response, and affects the follicles ability to produce hair. This hair loss is reversible in the early stages, but once the disease advances, the hair follicles are destroyed, and
Scarring alopecia
A scar (or scar tissue) is an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury. Scars result from the biological process of wound repair in the skin, as well as in other organs, and tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a na ...
occurs.
See also
*
List of cutaneous conditions
References
External links
Conditions of the skin appendages
Mucinoses
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