TREATMENT OF SELECTED CASES OF ALOPECIA AREATA BY PSORALEN AND SUNLIGHT

Background: Psoralin and ultraviolet light A is used in the treatment of alopecia areata.Response rates have varied in literatures. Patients and methods: The thirty patients with chronic alopecia areata recalcitrant involved in this study Their age ranged between 18-50 years were prolong complain with no response to treatment of (3-10 years) . Patients were given tripsoralen (trimethyl psoralen) tablets, Then after two hours the patients were instructed to expose to sun light for 20 minutes. Treatment was given three times per week (every other day). Result: 18 patients(60%) showed a response with complete hair regrowth , while 4 patients (13.3%) showed partial regrowth of hair which was cosmetically acceptable , 4 patients (13.3%) the growth was only of villus hair and 4 patients (13.3%)did not show any response after 30 sessions. Only few minor side effects were observed , nausea , Headache, Pruritus this did not necessities any special antiemetic and subside spontaneously during the course of treatment. Conclusions: In the current study sunlight and psoralen therapy of alopecia areata were uses most therapies employs the use psoralen and UVA lamp. The presence of sun light approximately all over the year in our country encourages us to use sun light instead of UVA lamps which is easier and cheaper for patients.