Pseudopelade of Brocq

Pseudopelade of Brocq

Pseudopelade of Brocq (PPB) is a scarring alopecia that affects both women and men. The central scalp is often affected first. This condition causes permanent hair loss - hair does not regrow. The goal of treatment is to stop further loss. The cause is unknown.

The areas of hair loss are usually pale colored in those with PPB although they may be slightly pink. When one feels these areas with a finger it is usually obvious that the area dips down below the level of the skin. We call this phenomenon "atrophy". The condition is frequently misdiagnosed as lichen planopilaris (another scarring hair loss condition). The two conditions are similar but lichen planopilaris has more redness and scaling than PPB and is generally more responsive to treatment. Treatment of PPB is similar to LPP and includes topical steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, doxycycline, hydroxychloroquine, steroid injections and similar anti-lymphocytic agents.