Alopecia Areata During Pegylated Interferon Alpha2a Treatment in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

A decade ago, pegylated interferon alpha2a was recommended as the first choice treatment for chronic hepatitis B, particularly for patients negative for HBeAg. This treatment was known to have various side effects, including skin symptoms, with alopecia being the most common dermatologic side effect, affecting 10% to 36% of patients. Most alopecia cases related to this treatment presented with a telogen effluvium pattern, but there were rare reports of alopecia areata. In the case discussed, a hepatitis B patient treated with pegylated interferon alpha2a developed localized alopecia areata, and the course of the condition seemed to be related to the administration and discontinuation of the treatment.