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Higher concentrations of dithranol appear to induce hair growth even in severe alopecia areata
Author(s) -
Ngwanya M. R.,
Gray N. A.,
Gumedze F.,
Ndyenga A.,
Khumalo N. P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/dth.12500
Subject(s) - alopecia areata , medicine , dithranol , dermatology , hair growth , vellus hair , scalp , minoxidil , cabello , psoriasis , physiology
Alopecia areata (AA) is the commonest autoimmune cause of non‐scarring alopecia. Topical treatments including corticosteroids and irritants maybe beneficial. Studies report variable hair regrowth with dithranol (anthralin) but all used low concentrations (0.1–1.25%) and inconsistent measurements of AA severity. We report retrospective data (2005–2014) of 102 patients who had failed ultra‐potent topical steroids and were referred to a specialist hair clinic for treatment with dithranol up to 3%. The severity of alopecia areata tool was used and participants graded as mild (<25%), moderate (>25 to 75%), and severe (>75%) hair loss. Compared with baseline any and at‐least 50% hair regrowth [72%, 68%, 50% and 61.5%, 48.4%, 37.5%, in mild, moderate and severe AA respectively] occurred in all groups (median treatment duration 12 months). Twenty‐nine patients (28.4%) were discharged with complete regrowth; with no difference in proportions in severity groups (33.3%, 29%, and 21.9%) but in the period to discharge [7.9, 6.3, and 29.4 months ( p ‐values <.05)] for mild, moderate, and severe AA. Treatment trials of 12 months with dithranol at higher concentrations may be an option in patients who failed potent topical or intra‐lesional steroids) regardless of AA severity. Randomized trials (of less staining formulations) of dithranol are warranted.