Efficacy of dinitrochlorobenzene in the treatment of alopecia areata

Various kinds of sensitizers are administrated foralopecia areata treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment response to Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in alopecia areata patients. In this study, 117 patients were treated with DNCB under a specific checklist. All patients were sensitized with a 2% DNCB and then treated with ascending DNCB concentrations (0.001%-2%). Response to treatment was categorized as none, mild, moderate and marked improvement. Thirty three (27.5%) patients showed no response, 49 (40.8%) had relapse 6 months after improvement, 29 (24.2%) had no relapse 6 months after the treatment and 6 patients were excluded because they did not return for follow-up visits. Response to treatment in patients without eyelash and eyebrow involvement increased significantly (P=0.01). We did not observe any side effects except for localized dermatitis seen in 5% of the patients. With respect to the suitable response to DNCB application and its availability, the authors suggest that DNCB be reconsidered in alopecia areata. However, attention must be paid to its mutagenicity..