Dinitrochlorobenzene therapy for alopecia areata

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Abstract
Patients (90) with alopecia areata were treated with weekly applications of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) dissolved in acetone to one side of the head; the other side of the head served as a control. In 80 patients (89%) hair regrew either exclusively on the treated side, or considerably faster and denser on this side. The difference was noted in most cases, within 8 wk. The initial response could not be maintained in all of these patients. Persistent response was observed in 72 patients (80%). Peribulbar round cell infiltrates were more constant and denser on the treated side, suggesting that topically applied DNCB affects the peribulbar infiltrate present in alopecia areata. The therapeutic result may be due to altered local immunoregulation.