The Therapeutic Use of Topical Contact Sensitizers in Benign Dermatoses
September 2001
in “
British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement
”
TLDR Topical contact sensitizers can treat certain skin conditions by changing the immune response.
Topical contact sensitizers like dinitrochlorobenzene, squaric acid dibutyl ester, and diphencyprone have been used since the 1960s to treat alopecia areata and viral warts by altering the immune response. This systematic review from 2001 examined the different sensitizers, treatment methods, factors affecting efficacy, and potential adverse effects. Despite their use, only a few dermatology departments in the U.K. offered this treatment.