Bilateral Half-Head Comparison of 1% Anthralin Ointment in Children with Alopecia Areata

In a 2017 study involving 30 children with chronic, severe, treatment-refractory, extensive alopecia areata (AA), 1% anthralin ointment was applied to one side of the scalp for 12 months, with the other side left untreated. The Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score was used to assess outcomes. Results showed that the mean time to first response was 3 months, and to maximal response was 9 months. After one year, 10 patients (33.4%) achieved complete response, and 11 patients (36.6%) had a partial response, with 6 of the partial responders eventually achieving complete response. No serious adverse events were reported, indicating that 1% anthralin is an effective and safe therapy for AA in children. The study recommended continuing treatment for at least 9 months, and for those with at least a 50% reduction in pretreatment SALT scores, to continue for at least 1 year.