title: Topical cetirizine and oral vitamin D: a valid treatment for hypotrichosis caused by ectodermal dysplasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ectodermal dysplasia is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by abnormal development of two or more of the following ectodermal-derived structures: hair, teeth, nails and sweat glands. The hair is the most frequently affected structure. Hair shaft abnormalities are of great concern to these patients, but no effective treatments are available.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe three girls with congenital hypotrichosis (9, 5 and 6 years old) caused by ectodermal dysplasia treated with topical cetirizine solution (2 mL. once daily) and oral vitamin D supplementation (1000 IU daily).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months of treatment, the density of hair on the scalp increased in all patients. The vellus hair was replaced by terminal hair. Hair regrowth was evaluated both from the clinical and trichoscopic point of view.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We propose a combination of topical cetirizine and oral vitamin D as a rational treatment of choice in congenital hypotrichosis caused by ectodermal dysplasia.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Rossi
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Miraglia
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Fortuna
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Calvieri
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Giustini
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D004476:Ectodermal Dysplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007039:Hypotrichosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D017332:Cetirizine