Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Dermatology and Venerology

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a commonly encountered autoimmune hair loss disorder with multifactorial etiology. Although steroids are considered the first line of treatment in AA, they cannot alter the course of the disease. Intralesional carboxytherapy (ILC) induces a state of relative hypercapnia with increased blood flow with the potential to treat AA. Aim of the study: To compare the efficacy, safety, and longevity of ILC, intralesional steroids, and their combination, during treatment and at the end follow up period. Methods: This study is a randomized interventional comparative clinical trial conducted on 30 patients with patchy AA. For every patient, each patch was randomized to receive intralesional steroid, ILC, or a combination of both. Every patient received six sessions, two weeks apart over three months. Patients were assessed before treatment, one week after the last session, and at the end of the follow-up period using the newly introduced modified severity of alopecia tool (M.SALT) score and dermoscopic assessment. Abstract Results: The different treatment modalities showed measurable improvement and hair regrowth with a statistically significant increase in percentage improvement of M.SALT score at the end of follow up period compared to both before and after treatment in the areas treated with intralesional steroid compared to ILC

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