Article Summary by Michael Buontempo, MS4 | MD Candidate | Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia, or CCCA, is a condition that primarily affects women with African heritage, leading to scarring on the scalp and hair loss. This not only affects the way they look but also how they feel about themselves. Finding the right treatment can be challenging, as it involves managing inflammation to stop the scarring process. Researchers have been trying to figure out what influences outcomes in CCCA.¹

In a study that looked back at 100 patients with CCCA who received treatment for at least 12 months. Doctors tried to connect the dots between their health background, how they care for their hair, and how well they responded to treatments over a year. They discovered that patients who didn’t have thyroid problems, those who managed their diabetes with a drug called metformin, those who used hooded dryers, chose to wear their hair in natural styles, and didn’t show any other symptoms besides hair loss saw better improvements. On the other hand, signs like scalp scaling or pustules often meant the condition could get worse.

The study used various treatments including topical steroids, intralesional steroids, topical minoxidil, and oral doxycycline, noticing that some patients saw their conditions stabilize or even improve. After one year of treatment, 50% of patients were stable, 36% improved, and 14% worsened. This research points out that personal health and hair care habits play a big role in fighting CCCA. It suggests that by paying attention to these factors, healthcare providers can tailor treatments more effectively, offering hope to those affected by this challenging condition. It’s a step forward in understanding and managing CCCA, aiming for better outcomes and happier lives for patients. Keep an eye out for more research in this area to see how it might benefit you or someone you know.

See full article here.

1. Onamusi T, Larrondo J, McMichael AJ. Clinical factors and hair care practices influencing outcomes in central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 Oct;315(8):2375-2381. doi: 10.1007/s00403-023-02630-5. Epub 2023 May 15. PMID: 37188887.