Ringworm (Alopecia areata) is a disease in which patchy openings of varying sizes occur in the hair. Apart from hair, it can sometimes be seen on eyebrows, beard hairs and other body hair. Rarely, there may be forms in which all hair and body hair are partially or completely lost.
The most common form of ringworm is the form that occurs in one or several areas of the hair. It is usually triggered by stress and usually resolves spontaneously.
Ringworm disease occurs as a result of the person's immune cells attacking the hair follicles. Diseases that occur when a person's own immune cells attack their own tissues are called autoimmune diseases. There are autoimmune diseases that affect many different organs. Ringworm is one of these autoimmune diseases. As in other autoimmune diseases, it is not known exactly why immune cells begin to attack their own tissues in ringworm.
In the treatment of ringworm, cortisone drugs are used in cream or lotion forms or injected into the skin, and good response is obtained to them. Mesotherapy and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) applications can be applied to support the treatment.
In stubborn cases, treatments such as difencyprone application, ultraviolet therapy (phototherapy) and oral administration of drugs that suppress the immune system are available. Among these, difensiprone application is another treatment option.
Difencyprone (diphenylcyclopropenone) is a sensitizing substance. It is prepared in concentrations ranging from low to high by dissolving it in acetone. It is applied once a week. It causes an allergic reaction when applied to the skin. It is thought that its effectiveness in ringworm patients is that immune cells stop attacking the hair follicles due to the allergic response occurring in the skin. The response rate to treatment is variable. While there may be little or partial response, there are also cases where a satisfactory response can be obtained. After application, difensiprone should remain on the skin for 24 hours and sun exposure should be avoided. Sun protection should not decrease the effectiveness of difensiprone and It is important to protect the application areas from stain formation. Redness, itching and flaking in the applied areas are expected effects. Sometimes blisters and painful lymph node enlargement behind the ear may occur. These are temporary. Rarely, stains may occur in some applied areas, and these may sometimes be permanent. Approximately 4-6 months of application are required to evaluate the response to treatment. If there is a response, weekly applications are continued until hair grows again. This can sometimes take up to a year. Maintenance treatment can be applied after the desired response is achieved.
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