Email this article 
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Antihistamines in the combined therapy for Alopecia Areata
- Authors: Tereshchenko G.1,2, Gadzhigoroeva A.3,4,5, Zhukova O.3,4,5, Savastenko A.4,5, Potekaev N.3,6,5
-
Affiliations:
- Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology
- RUDN University
- Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology of Moscow Health Department
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
- Section: Original studies
- Submitted: 24.03.2025
- Accepted: 09.05.2025
- Published: 13.05.2025
- URL: https://rusalljournal.ru/raj/article/view/17015
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.36691/RJA17015
- ID: 17015
Cite item
Open Access
Access granted
Subscription or Fee Access
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In treating alopecia areata, antihistamines such as fexofenadine and ebastine are considered adjuvant therapy, primarily in patients with concomitant allergic diseases. The insufficient understanding of their mechanisms of action and limited evidence of their efficacy in alopecia areata highlight the need for further research.
AIMS:To evaluate the efficacy of ebastine and fexofenadine in combination with local therapy for the treatment of alopecia areata.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 12-week observational, retrospective, comparative cohort study included 91 patients aged ≥ 12 years diagnosed with alopecia areata, some with comorbid atopic conditions. Participants were divided into two groups: the main group (n=43) received topical treatment (intradermal injection of betamethasone suspension, 0.2 ml/cm², maximum 1 ml, once) combined with standart doses of ebastine or fexofenadine for 28 days; the comparison group (n=48) received only topical betamethasone therapy. Antihistamines were prescribed in the main group due to allergic symptoms. Both groups were assessed for clinical and anamnestic data, baseline and post-treatment alopecia severity via SALT scores (%), and hair regrowth rates.
RESULTS: The groups were comparable in age, gender and duration of the current episode characterized by the active stage of alopecia areata. Baseline SALT scores indicated mild severity: 22.48±2.13% in the main group and 20.14±1.79% in the comparison group (p>0.05). Comorbid atopic diseases were present in all patients in the main group and 60.4% (29/48) in the comparison group. At 12 weeks, SALT decreased to 8.50±2.11% in main group vs. 16.48±2.55% in the comparison group (p=0.002). The percentage of hair regrowth was significantly higher in the main group (69.61±5.68% vs. 24.56±10.58%; p=0.01). Worsening (increased hair loss or negative regrowth) occurred in 4.65% (2/43) of the main group vs. 31.25% (15/48) of the comparison group.
About the authors
Galina Tereshchenko
Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology;RUDN University
Email: gala_ter@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9643-0440
SPIN-code: 1163-5456
Aida Gadzhigoroeva
Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology of Moscow Health Department;Peoples' Friendship University of Russia;
Email: aida2010@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0489-0576
17, Leninskiy Ave., Moscow, 119071, Russia
6, Miklukho-Maklai St., Moscow, 117198, Russia
Olga Zhukova
Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology of Moscow Health Department;Peoples' Friendship University of Russia;
Email: klinderma@inbox.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5723-6573
17, Leninskiy Ave., Moscow, 119071, Russia
6, Miklukho-Maklai St., Moscow, 117198, Russia
Alexey Savastenko
Peoples' Friendship University of Russia;
Email: savasta@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8604-3612
6, Miklukho-Maklai St., Moscow, 117198, Russia
Nikolay Potekaev
Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology of Moscow Health Department;Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University;
Author for correspondence.
Email: klinderma@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9578-5490
17, Leninskiy Ave., Moscow, 119071, Russia;
1, Ostrovityanov St., Moscow, 117997, Russia
References
Supplementary files
