No racial predilection exists for tufted hair folliculitis. No gender predilection exists for tufted hair folliculitis. Tufted hair folliculitis has been reported only in adults. It has been reported primarily in individuals in the fourth and fifth decades of life. The hair loss frequently is accompanied by pain or swelling of the affected scalp.
Patients frequently complain of crust and scales adherent to the scalp and hair.
The ability to express pus from the follicular orifice is a frequent, but not constant, finding. This process usually is limited to a single area of the scalp that enlarges gradually. If the patient has another form of scarring alopecia accompanied by tufted hair, such as acne keloidalis, the history will reflect the predominant cause of hair loss. Adjacent to and intermingled with the tufts are areas of scarring alopecia, with complete loss of follicles. The area of tufts and scarring is somewhat well circumscribed and may be accompanied by varying degrees of edema, erythema, and tenderness.