Alopecia Areata in a Patient Treated with Interferon Alpha-2a for Chronic Hepatitis B / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Recent studies recommend pegylated interferon alpha2a as the first choice treatment for chronic hepatitis B, especially when the patient is negative for HBeAg. Pegylated interferon alpha is known to show variable side effects including skin symptoms, with alopecia as the most common dermatologic side effect experienced for 10% up to 36%. pcc) Most alopecia cases related to pegylated interferon alpha were presented with telogen effluvium pattern, but alopecia areata cases are reported rarely. In this case, typically localized alopecia areata was presented with pegylated interferon alpha2a treatment in hepatitis B patient, and the course of alopecia areata seemed to be related with administration and discontinuation of pegylated interferon alpha2a.