Antibiotics can help some people with scarring alopecias, particularly when the condition is associated with bacterial infection or inflammation. Antibiotics can reduce the bacterial load in conditions where bacteria play a role in inflammation and follicular damage. Some antibiotics, particularly tetracyclines, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the inflammation associated with scarring alopecias.

Antibiotics used to treat scarring alopecias include tetracycline and doxycycline.

Antibiotics might be prescribed to people with the following alopecia types:

frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), lichen planopilaris (LPP), central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), dissecting cellulitis, folliculitis decalvans.