This can be a chronic and persistent condition which responds slowly to treatment.
Avoid picking and squeezing the lumps as this can worsen the problem.
Seek treatment early as this can avoid widespread permanent scarring hair loss.
Avoid oil-based hair products and use an antiseptic shampoo regularly.
Antiseptic washes (eg chlorhexidine) and shampoos can be useful as well as topical antibiotics such as clindamycin lotion.
Long-term courses of oral antibiotics are often used to treat this condition. They are used to reduce inflammation and include medications such as doxycycline, erythromycin or clindamycin. A combination of clindamycin and rifampicin is also commonly used.
Dapsone is a medication which can be used for this condition as well. It requires some blood monitoring but is usually well tolerated.
Steroid tablets (eg prednisolone) can be used for short term management of significant inflammation of the scalp. Steroids can also be injected into localised sites of disease activity.
Retinoid tablets (eg isotretinoin) which are most commonly prescribed for severe acne may be used to treat dissecting cellulitis of the scalp as well.
A combination of treatments may be needed to treat the condition aggressively in order to avoid long term scarring hair loss.
Large cysts and abscesses can be incised and drained or excised. Skin grafting may be required in some cases.
Wigs and hairpieces are available and can be subsidised for medical causes of hair loss.