Dramatic effect of hydroxychloroquine on lupus alopecia

Abstract

Lupus alopecia is usually difficult to treat. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman with Sjögren's syndrome and atopic dermatitis who presented with discoid lupus erythematosus on the forearms and lupus erythematosus profundus with alopecia involving the scalp. A biopsy specimen taken from the discoid lupus erythematosus lesion on the forearm further exhibited a xanthomatous reaction, which however was not detected in another specimen from the lupus erythematosus profundus on the scalp. Treatment with oral hydroxychloroquine showed dramatic effects and complete hair regrowth was obtained 3 months later.