Association of khellin and 308-nm excimer lamp in the treatment of severe alopecia areata in a child.

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of hair, characterized by non-scarring hair loss. A 308-nm excimer lamp (EL) has been reported as one effective modality in the treatment of AA. Khellin is a furanochromone photosensitizer whose chemical structure is close to psoralens and has previously proven its efficacy in vitiligo in association with ultraviolet A. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combination of topical khellin and 308-nm EL in the treatment of a refractory ophiasic AA, of 1-year evolution, in a 5-year-old boy. Treatment consisted in topical application of khellin 45 mn before irradiation with EL (starting dose 50 mJ/cm2) twice a week for 3 months. The result was a complete regrowth of hair with no recurrence 1 year later. Further studies should be carried out to confirm this promising result and to propose khellin-excimer as a new alternative treatment for resistant cases of AA in children.

• Authors: Samy Fenniche, Houda Hammami, Anissa Zaouak
• Journal: Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology (J Cosmet Laser Ther) Vol. 20 Issue 3 Pg. 156-158 (Jun 2018) ISSN: 1476-4180 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 29020475 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Khellin

Topics

• Alopecia Areata (drug therapy)
• Child, Preschool
• Humans
• Khellin (therapeutic use)
• Lasers, Excimer (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Photochemotherapy (methods)
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)