The Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Syndrome: How a Single Word Name Change Might Change So Much

The article proposes renaming frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) to frontal fibrosing alopecia syndrome to better reflect its diverse symptoms and presentations, which include various patterns of hair loss, cutaneous or nail changes, mucosal changes, and associated autoimmune and endocrine diseases. This reclassification could improve diagnosis and treatment by acknowledging the condition's variability and the need for different first-line treatments. The author highlights a case study of a 44-year-old woman whose symptoms did not fit current diagnostic criteria, underscoring the necessity for broader recognition of FFA's manifestations. The name change could enhance understanding and communication between patients and practitioners, advocating for assessment tools that consider a wider range of symptoms beyond hairline changes.