Hypertrichosis Around a Leg Ulcer Treated with Prostaglandin E1 Ointment

In a case study from 2011, a 54-year-old woman developed hypertrichosis, an excessive hair growth condition, around a leg ulcer after being treated with Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) ointment and a basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) spray. The ulcer, which was a result of burns from a traffic accident, showed improvement and nearly healed after two months of treatment, but the hypertrichosis appeared concurrently. Once the PGE1 ointment treatment ceased, the hypertrichosis diminished. Although systemic administration of PGE1 has been associated with hypertrichosis, this was the first report of such a side effect with topical application. The study suggested that PGE1's effect on hair growth might be complex and involve prostaglandin receptors other than FP, particularly EP3, which is known to be expressed in hair follicles and may be involved in hair development and regrowth. However, hypertrichosis is not a common side effect of PGE1 ointment, indicating a need for further research to understand the mechanisms behind PGE1-induced hypertrichosis.