Scarring hair loss caused by discoid lupus affecting the scalp.
Discoid lupus erythematosus can affect hair-bearing scalp skin and damage follicles permanently if inflammation is not controlled. It may cause red, scaly plaques, pigment change, follicular plugging, tenderness or scarring patches where follicle openings are lost. It is an important differential diagnosis for patchy scarring alopecia and may require biopsy. Treatment aims to suppress inflammation and prevent further permanent loss, often using sun protection, topical or injected steroids, antimalarial tablets or other specialist therapies.
DermNet hair loss: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/hair-loss ; DermNet trichoscopy of localised cicatricial hair loss: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/trichoscopy-of-localised-cicatricial-hair-loss
