Clobetasol Propionate, 0.05%, vs Hydrocortisone, 1%, for Alopecia Areata in Children

This study compared the efficacy and safety of clobetasol propionate, 0.05%, cream versus hydrocortisone, 1%, cream in treating pediatric alopecia areata over 24 weeks with 41 children aged 2 to 16. Clobetasol significantly reduced the scalp surface area with hair loss compared to hydrocortisone (P < .001), with 85% of children in the clobetasol group experiencing at least a 50% reduction in hair loss versus 33.3% in the hydrocortisone group. One patient experienced temporary skin atrophy. The study concluded that clobetasol is an effective and safe first-line treatment for limited patchy childhood alopecia areata.