[Lichen planopilaris. Successful treatment with tacrolimus]

BACKGROUND: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology that affects pilosebaceous units, mainly of the scalp, and results in scaring alopecia.

OBJECTIVE: A 51-year-old male presented with a pruritic eruption on the cheek consisting of atrophic macules and erythematous folliculocentric papules.

RESULTS: Biopsy revealed a perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate and vacuolar degeneration of the dermoepidermal junction consistent with LPP. Many treatment modalities have been utilized, with varying degrees of success. Our patient responded poorly to topical steroids. After nine months of topical tacrolimus therapy, his lesions resolved entirely.

CONCLUSION: The treatment of our patient demonstrates tacrolimus as a novel topical therapeutic option for patients with LPP.