Pillbug - Sorry to hear about your FD diagnoses. My recommendation is to find a dermatologist with experience treating scalp disorders. Most derm's will treat all skin disorders, but usually specialize in one area like skin cancer, etc. The first derm I saw was a great skin cancer guy, but had treated very few people with FD and wasn't up to date with current treatment options. So it is worth calling around to find the right doctor. Larger University hospitals are good places to look. My doctor (Dr. McMichael) is at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The treatment I have received has been great.

Another website worth checking out is the scalp diseases forum: http://www.scalpdiseases.org/forum
- a lot of information has been posted - medical articles and such.

How long have you had symptoms? Any hair loss? Are you presently on any medication?

Take care,

7621

Hi pillbug,

I was diagnosed with FD about 5 1/2 years ago. I have been on minocycline, cephalexin and some other Antibiotics along with Antibiotic cream or steroid creams. They have all significantly improved the condition while taking them but as I'm sure you already know, it comes back when the drugs stop. The longest period of "remission" for me was 2 months. Last fall after a bad flare up in summer, I was on antiobiotics for 3 months til December then was relatively clear. There was still itching & scaling but no pustules til summer. Then it flared again. I did a partial shave around the area but couldn't get all the hair removed because of the crusting. Having the area clearer helped but without total removal, it definitely wasn't a total fix. (by the way, I am a woman.) Now, I am trying something totally different. I had my first appointment with a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor. He did acupunture and gave me herbal cream to put on the inflamed infected area. It feels somewhat better with the cream on it, but there's a long way to go before I'll be able to know if it's helping. The Dr. recommends 10 treatments, 2 per week for chronic conditions, then go from there. He was truthful and said skin conditions are tough. He's had huge success with pain problems, infertility and cancer but we'll see with this.
If you go the dermatologist route, I totally agree with the above post, see a specialist at a local university hospital. They have much more experience. And keep researching now while you're newly diagnosed. I never ever thought I'd go to an acupuncturist, but there I was yesterday with needles sticking out of my neck, hands and scalp!
Good luck to you!
Dipper

Hi!

First, welcome to the Forum!
You´re at the right place here,´cause we all here have a quite good knowledge about FD, and the different ways to treat it.
I´m a woman,too,and i have FD since 2002. The scaring on my scalp started in 2006,´cause FD progresses slowly.If you have a look into the Image Gallery you can see pics how my scalp looks today.I don´t want to scare you, but that´s what this plague makes with our skin :(I´ve shaved my head for some months this year, but it only made it easier to care for my skin,it didn´t helped to stop the inflammation.
I´ve seen countless dermatologist, they´ve made 5 biopsys of my scalp,and i´ve taken pills, i don´t know how much.
The next step for me is an appointment with a derm at a local hospital,´cause i consider to take Isotretinoin,and i want to know what they think about it.
So, i hope that you´ll find some answers here.
Take care, and don´t loose hope :)

Scarhead.

Hi Pillbug

I'm a guy that shaves - so I'll keep my post brief and let the gals answer your queries. I just wanted to welcome you to the forum and wish you all the best with overcoming your FD.

Rot

Would love to know how ur doing 9months on Pillbug82 ?

What treatment u on , has the condition progressed ?

keep ppl informed !

My 11 year old nephew just got diagnosed with folliculitis decalvans. Very upset and have never heard of this