Alopecia mucinosa in Adult
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Synopsis

Alopecia mucinosa, also known as follicular mucinosis, is a rare condition characterized by follicular papules and indurated plaques leading to nonscarring alopecia. Although lesions can occur anywhere on the body, the most common sites are the face, neck, and scalp. The distinct histologic changes are an accumulation of mucinous material of the pilosebaceous unit, which incites an inflammatory response and follicular damage.
The 3 clinical variants of the disease consist of the following: a primary acute disorder of young people, usually involving the face and scalp; a primary chronic disorder of older people, which can be generalized in distribution; and a secondary disorder associated with benign inflammatory conditions or malignant disease (lymphoma), also usually seen in older people. In this latter category, folliculotropic mycosis fungoides is frequently associated. Other reported associations include underlying hematologic malignancy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, infections, and eosinophilic folliculitis. Drug-induced cases due to captopril, oxcarbazepine, and imatinib have been reported.
The 3 clinical variants of the disease consist of the following: a primary acute disorder of young people, usually involving the face and scalp; a primary chronic disorder of older people, which can be generalized in distribution; and a secondary disorder associated with benign inflammatory conditions or malignant disease (lymphoma), also usually seen in older people. In this latter category, folliculotropic mycosis fungoides is frequently associated. Other reported associations include underlying hematologic malignancy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, infections, and eosinophilic folliculitis. Drug-induced cases due to captopril, oxcarbazepine, and imatinib have been reported.
Codes
ICD10CM:
L65.2 – Alopecia mucinosa
SNOMEDCT:
27382006 – Alopecia mucinosa
L65.2 – Alopecia mucinosa
SNOMEDCT:
27382006 – Alopecia mucinosa
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Alopecia areata
- Contact dermatitis
- Tumid lupus erythematosus
- Tick bite
- Sarcoidosis
- Cutaneous metastases to the scalp
- Acne vulgaris
- Folliculitis
- Fox-Fordyce disease
- Lipedema of the scalp
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
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References
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Last Reviewed:07/08/2020
Last Updated:07/20/2020
Last Updated:07/20/2020
Alopecia mucinosa in Adult
See also in: Hair and Scalp