Folliculitis decalvans is a common form of scarring alopecia characterized by suppurative folliculitis with destruction of the hair follicle. It most commonly occurs in middle-aged adults of both sexes but can arise any time after the onset of puberty. The crown is the most frequently affected area. Staphylococcus aureus is often isolated from the follicular pustules, and it is thought that an abnormal host response occurs to this organism.