Comparative assessment of topical steroids, topical tretenoin (0.05%) and dithranol paste in alopecia areata

There have been various controversial reports regarding the efficacy of topical agents in topical therapy of alopecia areata.

The study aims to find out the effective ones among the readily available ones for a dermatologist.

Eighty patients were chosen from the skin OPD of Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, after evaluating the exclusion criterions. Treatments were continued for 3 month period and a follow up after further 3 months. After dividing them into four groups-group-I (topical steroids), group-II (topical tretinoin 0.05%) group-III (dithranol paste 0.25%), and group-IV (white soft petrolatum jelly)-patients were evaluated.

Seventy percent of group-I, 55% of group-II, 35% of group-III, and 20% of the control group (white soft petrolatum jelly) responded favorably. Side effects in the form of dermatitis and hyperpigmentation were seen in group-III. However, no patient discontinued from the study.

We conclude that both topical steroids and tretinoin were fairly effective in limited variant of alopecia areata.