308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of alopecia areata in children.

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common skin disease which is characterized by nonscarring localized or diffused hair loss. In this study we assessed the efficacy of 308-nm Excimer laser in the treatment of alopecia areata in children. A total of 9 children with 30 recalcitrant patches alopecia areata and two children with alopecia areata totalis were enrolled in this study which included seven male and four female patients, aged between 4 and 14 years and the durations of their disease were between 7 and 25 months. All of these patients had more than one lesion of alopecia areata and at least one of them was left as a control for comparison. The lesions were treated with the 308-nm Excimer laser twice a week for a period of 12 weeks. Regrowth of hair was observed in 18 (60%) alopecia patches in the scalp, while there was no response in the control patches and over the extremities. Only four patients with scalp lesions showed a recurrence of alopecia after 6 months post laser therapy. So, 308-nm Excimer laser is considered an effective safe therapeutic option for patchy alopecia areata in children.

• Authors: Nawaf Al-Mutairi
• Journal: Pediatric dermatology (Pediatr Dermatol) 2009 Sep-Oct Vol. 26 Issue 5 Pg. 547-50 ISSN: 1525-1470 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19840308 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Alopecia Areata (radiotherapy)
• Arm
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Hair (growth & development, radiation effects)
• Humans
• Lasers, Excimer
• Leg
• Low-Level Light Therapy (instrumentation, methods)
• Male
• Scalp
• Secondary Prevention
• Treatment Outcome