Evaluation of utility of phenol in alopecia areata.
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common hair disorder of unknown etiology and prognosis with no definitive cure.


OBJECTIVE
(i) To study the efficacy and immunomodulatory action of 88% phenol on hair growth on test area in AA. (ii) To study various epidemiological factors in relation to AA.


METHODS
A total of 50 subjects presenting with nonscarring patchy hair loss on scalp were enrolled in this prospective open label study to receive 88% phenol at 3 weekly intervals in a tertiary care hospital. Efficacy was assessed using scoring system for density, pigmentation, and texture of growing hair.


RESULTS
Texture and pigmentation of hair growth was significantly improved at 9 week, while density of hair growth showed steady improvement, which was significant from 9 week onwards. About 78% of patients showed good to excellent response while none of them showed poor response.


CONCLUSIONS
88% phenol was found to be efficacious with all patients showing hair regrowth. 88% phenol can be considered as a treatment of choice for stable AA due to its ease of application, easy availability, and low cost.
Department of Dermatology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Siddhi
S
Chikhalkar
Department of Dermatology, LTMMC and Sion Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Hemangi
H
Jerajani
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
Bhushan
B
Madke
Alopecia areata; contact sensitization; phenol