Comparative Study Of Various Regimens In Alopecia Areata

AIM: To compare clinical efficacy of liquid phenol (20%), Minoxidil (2 %), and oral minipulse steroid in Alopecia areata.METHOD: A randomized single blind clinical comparative study was undertaken on 51 patients of Alopecia areata .Among which 17 patients were applied liquid phenol (20%) on weekly basis, 17 patients were applied liquid phenol (20%) on weekly basis & asked to apply topical Minoxidil (2%) from second day twice daily, remaining 17 patients were given oral minipulse therapy in the form of Tab. Betamethasone (1 mg) 5 tab on Saturday/Sunday with milk along with weekly liquid phenol (20%). Patients in each group were asked to come for follow up on weekly basis till 3 months. Clinical improvement was assessed in each visit and complications were noted.RESULTS: We observed a clinical improvement of 100% in maximum no. of patients (88.23%) treated with liquid phenol (20%) with oral minipulse steroid while it was only (47.06%) and (52.94 %) in patients treated with liquid phenol (20%) alone & liquid phenol (20%) with Minoxidil (2%)CONCLUSION: As per study, combination therapy of liquid phenol and oral minipulse steroid is better than single agent used alone. Addition of Minoxidil (2%) did not affect the results markedly. Liquid phenol with minipulse steroids is more cost effective than liquid phenol with minoxidil