What is Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans?
Folliculitis decalvans, also known as Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans, is a rare inflammatory scalp condition that causes permanent hair loss. The disease was named after the French physician Charles Quinquaud, who first described it in the 19th century. It belongs to a group of conditions called primary cicatricial (scarring) alopecias, meaning the hair follicles are destroyed and replaced by scar tissue, making hair loss in affected areas permanent. The condition mainly affects the scalp, where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, often with bacteria playing a role in triggering or worsening the inflammation. This leads to painful, pus-filled bumps (pustules) around hair follicles, redness, crusting, and eventually bald patches with shiny, scarred skin. A distinctive feature is that several hairs may grow from a single follicle opening, called 'tufted folliculitis,' before the follicle is eventually destroyed. Treatment focuses on controlling inflammation and reducing bacterial involvement to slow or stop further hair loss. While there is no cure, a combination of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes steroid injections can help manage symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are important because damage to hair follicles is irreversible. The condition tends to be chronic, meaning it can last for many years and may flare up and calm down over time.
Key symptoms:
Painful, pus-filled bumps (pustules) on the scalp around hair folliclesRedness and swelling of the scalp skinCrusting or scabbing on the scalpPermanent bald patches with smooth, shiny scarred skinItching or burning sensation on the scalpTufted hairs — several hairs growing from one follicle openingTenderness when touching affected areas of the scalpGradual spreading of bald patches over timeHair breakage at the scalp surfaceOccasional bleeding from inflamed follicles
Clinical phenotype terms (7)— hover any for plain English
- Patchy alopeciaHP:0002232
- Scarring alopecia of scalpHP:0004552
- ScarringHP:0100699
- Inheritance
- Multifactorial
- Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
- Age of Onset
- Adult
- Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
Source: openFDA + DailyMed · NDA / BLA labels with structured indications · refreshed weekly
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced daily · phases, status, and PI names normalized at ingest
No actively recruiting trials found for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →Source: NPI Registry + PubMed · trial PI roles cross-referenced with ClinicalTrials.gov · ranked by match score (publications + PI activity + community signal)
No specialists are currently listed for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans.
Treatment Centers
8 centersSource: NORD Rare Disease Centers + NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) · centers verified active within last 12 months
Children's Hospital Colorado Rare Disease Program ↗
Children's Hospital Colorado
📍 Aurora, CO
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDBoston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program ↗
Boston Children's Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🏨 Children'sAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Genetics ↗
Lurie Children's Hospital
📍 Chicago, IL
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏥 NORDCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ↗
Cincinnati Children's
📍 Cincinnati, OH
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏨 Children'sNationwide Children's Hospital Rare Disease Center ↗
Nationwide Children's Hospital
📍 Columbus, OH
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans
Source: PubMed + NIH RePORTER + openFDA + clinical-journal RSS · last 30 days · disease-tagged at ingest by AI extraction with human QC
No recent news articles for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How far has the scarring progressed, and how quickly might it spread if untreated?,What combination of treatments do you recommend for my specific case, and how long will I need to take them?,What are the risks of long-term antibiotic use, and how will we monitor for antibiotic resistance?,Are there any clinical trials or newer treatments I should know about?,What signs should prompt me to contact you urgently between appointments?,Can anything be done to improve the appearance of areas where hair has already been permanently lost?,Are there lifestyle changes — such as diet, hair care routines, or stress management — that might help reduce flare-ups?
Common questions about Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans
What is Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans?
Folliculitis decalvans, also known as Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans, is a rare inflammatory scalp condition that causes permanent hair loss. The disease was named after the French physician Charles Quinquaud, who first described it in the 19th century. It belongs to a group of conditions called primary cicatricial (scarring) alopecias, meaning the hair follicles are destroyed and replaced by scar tissue, making hair loss in affected areas permanent. The condition mainly affects the scalp, where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, often with bacteria playing a role in trigg
How is Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans inherited?
Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans typically begin?
Typical onset of Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Frequently asked questions about Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans
Auto-generated from canonical disease facts (Orphanet, OMIM, ClinicalTrials.gov, openFDA, NPPES). Not a substitute for clinical guidance.
What is Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans?
Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans is a rare disease catalogued in international rare-disease ontologies (Orphanet ORPHA:346). It is typically inherited as multifactorial. Age of onset is generally adult. For verified primary sources, see the UniteRare Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans page.
How is Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans inherited?
Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans follows multifactorial inheritance. Genetic counseling is recommended for affected families to understand recurrence risk in offspring and the likelihood of unaffected siblings being carriers. Variants in the underlying gene(s) may be identified via clinical genetic testing.
Are there FDA-approved treatments for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans?
Approved treatments for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans are tracked from openFDA and DailyMed primary sources. Many rare diseases have no specific FDA-approved therapy; for those, supportive care and management of complications form the basis of clinical care. Orphan-drug-designation status is noted where applicable.
Are there clinical trials for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans?
Active clinical trials for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans are tracked daily from ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial availability changes frequently; check the UniteRare trial listings for the current count and recruitment status. Sponsors of rare-disease research often welcome inquiries even when a trial is not actively recruiting at a given moment.
How do I find a specialist for Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans?
Verified Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans specialists are identified through ClinicalTrials.gov principal-investigator records, peer-reviewed publication authorship (via PubMed), and the NPPES NPI registry. NORD-designated Centers of Excellence and NIH-affiliated rare-disease clinics are also tracked. UniteRare's specialist directory is updated continuously as new evidence becomes available.
See full Quinquaud folliculitis decalvans page for complete clinical details, sources, and verified-specialist listings.
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