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How Does Anthralin Help In Treating Alopecia Barbae?

Posted on Thu, 27 Aug 2015

Question: What does Anthralin do for Alopecia Barbae. I have Barbae on 3spots each 1 X 0.5 inch. happened all within 2 months. I tried Kenalog, and topical steroid cream, not much difference i see. it's been only 1 injection and 1 month of topical steroid cream so far.

wil Anthralin help? what is it?

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please do not take home remedies

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HCM...

After reading history and seeing the photo in other post, I could conclude that you suffer from alopecia areata. It is considered autoimmune skin disease of unknown cause. Stress might precipitate the disease. It is a benign condition with good prognosis with perfect treatment. You consult dermatologist and have perfect treatment. Please do not take home remedies. There are many modes of treatment.

I would like to suggest as below...

-mild steroid lotion like hydrocortisone
-mild irritant like trioxsalen lotion to be applied at night.. I routinely use in my patients having alopecia areata.
-anthralin is also irritant ..may be applied in mild form at night.
-tacrolimus oint or lotion application
-intralesional steroid --triamcenolone 10 mg using insulin syringe in the alopecia patches by expert
- biotin tablets
- levamisole tab 50 mg at night

I hope this would help you in managing your skin disease. Still, any query..you may ask...

Thanks..

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (20 hours later)

Thanks for your reply.

I went to the doctor today for second visit after a month. She put some more kenalog on my face , injections.

My neck has big boils and pimples, I dont know if its from steroid or if its from ayurvedic medicine i took for a week, baba XXXXXXX XXXXXXX product which i stopped using now.

Other than that in allopathy she said i could use anthralin, and gave me presrciption for it too.

Is anthralin also called Dithranol, Drithocreme? what quantity should i buy, percentage or mg? Any idea? Since it's not sold in XXXXXXX by the name Anthralin, she said i can buy it from outside and have it shipped to me by courier. So i will ask my family yo send me, but do you know whats the percentage recommended, I will then take it to her and she will show me how to apply.

Also, Levamisole she said not a good idea not to use. I wonder why? what is this tablet about?

Please Advise.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid applying dithranol

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome back...

You complain of boils and acne. You might have tendency for acne. Oral steroid or intramuscular injection steroid can lead to acneiform eruptions. Eruptions that look very much like Acne. But, intralesional steroid injection is less likely to develop acneiform eruptions. Boils are due to staphylococcal infection.. For both you may take antibiotics after consulting your doctor.

Anthralin and dithranol are same, it is highly irritant. It may be used on scalp. I think you should avoid to apply on beard area. It may cause strong irritation. So, please do not apply on face. I do not recommend dithranol in my patients having alopecia areata on beard. For, beard area,local or injectable steroid might give good result.

Levamisole is an immunomodulator. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. So, levamisole in low dose..50 mg daily might improve the condition.

I hope this might help you.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (8 minutes later)

Is it possible to call you right now doctor?

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly do conversation on the plateform of HCM

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You suffer from alopecia areata..which is a curable disease. You take treatment from the nearby dermatologist. You discuss with him regarding our conversation. I think, you would be surely benefited...ok.

Thanks..

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar