A case of alopecia ophiasis effectively treated with 308 nm excimer lamp

A 14-year-old Japanese girl presented with a 2-year history of gradually developing hair loss in the hairline at the back and left side of the scalp. A diagnosis of alopecia ophiasis was made based on clinical features. Despite various treatments, including topical capronium chloride, topical corticosteroid, oral cepharanthin, oral grycyron and local immunotherapy with SADBE, the lesions showed gradual aggravation. We then started phototherapy with a 308 nm excimer lamp after obtaining informed consent. Three month after the initiation of the 308 nm excimer lamp therapy, more than 75% hair regrowth was observed. We suggest that the 308 nm excimer lamp therapy is effective in the treatment of alopecia areata of children.