Hepatitis C treatment and alopecia totalis

J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2013 Dec;16(1):S59-60. doi: 10.1038/jidsymp.2013.24.

Abstract

Peg-interferon alpha-2a and 2b and ribavirin have become the mainstays of chronic hepatitis C treatment. Although various cutaneous side effects have been reported, alopecia areata in its various forms have rare reports and has not been well categorized. Here we present a case of alopecia universalis occurring shortly after treatment for chronic hepatitis C, and we discuss some of the implications this has in understanding the pathophysiology of alopecia areata.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / chemically induced
  • Alopecia / complications*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oligopeptides / therapeutic use
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Oligopeptides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • telaprevir
  • peginterferon alfa-2a

Supplementary concepts

  • Alopecia universalis