All about Alopecia Mucinosa

Alopecia Mucinosa, also known as Follicular Mucinosis, Pinkus’ Follicular Mucinosis or Mucinosis Follicularis, is a form of alopecia that usually results in scaly, hairless patches on the scalp, and elsewhere on the body.

Alopecia Mucinosa is an abnormal accumulation of a normal substance, mucin, in hair bearing skin. For some unknown reason (thought to be related to our immune system) cells in the hair follicle produce an abnormal amount of mucin, causing a variety of skin lesions including hair loss and scarring.

Alopecia Mucinosa is most commonly found either in children, or adults in their 30’s and 40’s. The adult form tends to have more skin lesions and be last longer than the form typically found in children. A variety of treatments have been tried with some success but most lesions resolve within months to two years.

Urticaria-like follicular mucinosis is very rare. It usually occurs in middle aged men on the head and neck. Red lesions are often seen and hair loss is rare. The disease can last for years and may resolve on its own. It is not thought to be associated with any systemic diseases.

Follicular mucinosis may also be found in connection with lymphomas of the skin. Alopecia mucinosis is distinguished from lymphoma related follicular mucinosis by microscopic evaluation and gene rearrangement studies.

Can Alopecia Mucinosa be treated?

Yes. For more information, please see our Alopecia Treatment page, our case studies and our gallery.