Tropical Diphencyprone Therapy in Alopecia Totalis

The document reports on the use of diphencyprone (DCP) therapy in 13 patients with alopecia totalis or universalis and two with extensive alopecia areata. The patients, aged between 10 and 46 years and with a disease duration ranging from 1 to 42 years (mean 10.5 years), underwent a treatment regimen where a sensitizing dose of 2% DCP was applied to one side of the scalp, with the other side serving as a control. Sensitization was achieved in 13 of the 15 patients, who then received weekly applications of DCP to maintain a low-grade eczema. Six patients experienced significant hair regrowth after 6 to 20 weeks of treatment, and this regrowth was maintained with intermittent treatment over a year of follow-up. The study concluded that DCP sensitization could be an effective treatment for alopecia totalis in highly motivated patients, with the development of mild local lymphadenopathy after each application being a positive prognostic sign.