Ophiasis alopecia areata treated with microneedling

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease resulting in the destruction of hair follicles. Ophiasis refers to a subtype of AA that presents as a symmetric, band-like hair loss pattern of the occipital, temporal, and parietal regions of the scalp. We present a case of a 58-year-old white man with AA, ophiasis pattern, who was treated with clobetasol 0.05% solution and four treatments of microneedling with triamcinolone over 6 months. He underwent gradual improvement, most notably on his left occipital scalp where his hair loss was most prominent, with near complete hair regrowth on his left occipital scalp. Microneedling with triamcinolone can be considered as a promising treatment in cases of ophiasis AA.

Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Alopecia Areata in Korea: Part I Topical and Device-based Treatment

“…Only a few retrospective studies have been conducted assessing the efficacy of microneedling.Most studies used combination treatments with topical steroid preparations 156 157 158 , platelet-rich plasma 159 160 , or photodynamic therapy 161 162 and reported that combination treatment demonstrated better efficacy over microneedling monotherapy alone.…”

Microneedling combined with compound betamethasone in treatment of severe alopecia areata: A case report

“…No adverse events were reported in this study ( 10 ). Asad et al ( 11 ) reported a 58-year-old white male with AA, ophiasis pattern, who was treated with 4 treatments of microneedling with triamcinolone over 6 months and showed significant improvement with almost complete hair regrowth in the original hair loss area. Beergouder et al ( 12 ) reported that microneedle combined with triamcinolone acetonide successfully treated an 11 year old female patient with refractory total alopecia.…”

Coexistent frontal fibrosing alopecia with ophiasis pattern alopecia areata in a young female: A case report and review of the literature

“…This subtype most commonly occurs above the ears on the lateral area of the scalp and is refractory to conventional treatment with corticosteroids, immunotherapy, and minoxidil. 8 , 9 Studies have rarely reported coexistent FFA and AA in one case. In this paper, we report on a case of FFA associated with ophiasis.…”