EFFICACY OF INTRALESIONAL BOTULINUM TOXIN INJECTION IN THE TREATMENT OF PATCHY ALOPECIA AREATA (AA)

Background and Objective: Alopecia Areata (A. A.) is considered as an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and/or other regions of the body. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of intralesional Botulinum Toxin-A injections and Triamcinolone Acetonide in treating individuals with patchy Alopecia Areata (AA) and regrow their hair. Additionally, it aims to assess the side effects and measure the results using the Alopecia Areata (AA) Regrowth Score (McDonald’s Score). Methodology:A randomized controlled trial on 30 adults with patchy Alopecia Areata (AA) has been done. Botulinum Toxin-A injections (0.5 IU/cm2) were injected on one side of the scalp intradermally and Triamcinolone Acetonide injections (0.5 mg/cm2) on the opposite side intradermally. Both interventions were repeated montly, and followed them up over a period of 12 weeks. We observed hair regrowth and patient satisfaction using the McDonald’s Score. Results: The mean number of alopecia patches per patient was 3.17 ± 1.58 with a range of 2-8 patches, the highest area for patches was in parietal region. Both modalities of treatment showed substantial effectiveness 88.9% with Botulinum, and 94.4% with Triamcinolone after 2 months, with Botulinum Toxin-A showing avoidance of complications, while Traimciniolone had localized skin atrophy in 16.7%. Conclusion: Choosing between these treatments should consider patient preferences, and tolerance for potential complications.