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Alopecia areata and isotretinoin; coincidence or causal relation
Author(s) -
Gupta Mrinal,
Lotti Torello,
Goldust Mohamad
Publication year - 2020
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.13280
Subject(s) - alopecia areata , medicine , isotretinoin , acne , dermatology , adverse effect , hair loss
Isotretinoin is a safe and useful medication for acne management. Adverse effects are mostly related to cutaneous and mucous membranes. We present a case of a 24‐year‐old female patient who was on treatment with isotretinoin for acne vulgaris Grade 4. After 6 months of treatment, the patient presented with localized patch of hair loss. Beginning of alopecia areata in patients with acne vulgaris could be regarded as a side effect of retinoids due to anti‐acne therapy. The exact mechanism by which retinoids cause hair loss is not known.