Use of Excimer Lamp and Topical Tofacitinib 2% Gel in the Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata: A Case Report

May 2025 in “ Cureus ”

R Dineshkumar, Shvedha Manthri, S. Maheswari and U. Suganya R. Duraisamy, Abhijeet Malvi

excimer lamp topical tofacitinib alopecia areata autoimmune disease non-scarring hair loss 308 nm excimer lamp tofacitinib 2% gel

TLDR Combining excimer lamp and tofacitinib gel may help treat hair loss in children.

This case report discusses the treatment of a pediatric patient with recalcitrant alopecia areata (AA) using a 308 nm excimer lamp and topical tofacitinib 2% gel. Alopecia areata is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease characterized by non-scarring hair loss, and it is less studied in children compared to adults. The report highlights the potential effectiveness of combining these treatments in managing pediatric AA, although further research is needed to establish their efficacy and safety in this population.

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Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research Efficacy and Safety of Topical Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

June 2024 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

Topical tofacitinib is effective and safe for treating alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review of Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and the Therapeutic Landscape

March 2022 in “Wound practice & research”

New treatments for alopecia areata show promise, but standardized guidelines are needed.

research Tofacitinib 2% Ointment, a Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Pilot Study of 10 Patients

48 citations , November 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib 2% ointment helped hair regrow in 3 out of 10 patients with alopecia areata, but caused side effects like scalp irritation and raised cholesterol in some.

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2 / 2 results

research Twenty Nail Dystrophy with Alopecia Areata in an Atopic Child

April 2019 in “International journal of research in dermatology”

A child with rough nails also had hair loss and allergies.

research Successful Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata With Oral or Topical Tofacitinib

4 citations , July 2018 in “PubMed”

Oral and topical tofacitinib can help regrow hair in people with severe alopecia areata.