Seborrheic Dermatitis as a Potential Trigger of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia: A Review of Literature

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a common form of scarring alopecia that affects the crown or vertex of the scalp as centrifugally spreading patches of permanent hair loss. The etiology of CCCA is uncertain. Genetic predisposition, autoimmune diseases, infections (bacterial and fungal), and other idiopathic factors have all been explored as potential risk factors for the development of CCCA. Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) has been identified in a number of studies as the most common concurrent hair disorder seen in patients with CCCA. The high prevalence of SD in African American women and its association with long-term inflammation of the scalp may increase the likelihood of a connection between SD and other inflammatory conditions of the scalp in this population. Since it has frequently been discovered as a concomitant diagnosis in patients with CCCA, we hypothesize that a history of SD may play a role in the pathogenesis of CCCA.