A case report of verruca vulgaris on basis of alopecia areata successfully treated with diphenylcyclopropenone

Abstract

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease which is usually characterized by patchy hair loss in effected regions. Diagnosis usually based on clinical findings and main treatment options include topical, intralesional, systemic corticosteroids, and topical immunotherapy. Verruca vulgaris is an infectious disease caused by human papillomavirus which is usually characterized by well-marginated hyperkeratotic papules or plaques. There are several treatment modalities such as physical and chemical destruction and topical immunotherapy. A 23-year-old male patient presented to our outpatient clinic with multifocal noncicatrial alopecic plaques on scalp and multiple periungual verrucous papules on bilateral hands. High potent corticosteroid cream and minoxidil lotion 5% were offered for his scalp lesions, and topical 5-fluorouracil lotion was initiated for his verrucous lesions. In the 1st month visit, we detected contamination of viral warts on alopecic plaques of his scalp and all the previous therapeutics were stopped. We initiated topical diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) sensitization weekly. After the fourth application of DPCP, we observed that all of hyperkeratotic papules disappeared. Diphencyprone treatment was continued, and with further applications, hair growth as vellus type was observed. DPCP is relatively beneficial treatment option for both diseases although it is not a first-line therapy most times. There are case reports and series about this treatment for both of these diseases. We want to present this case to by regard of the unusual presentation and efficacy of DPCP in both indications. © 2017 International Journal of Trichology.