Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that involves the hair follicles. Topical corticosteroids are the established agents for treating this disorder. There are several case reports and case series which have demonstrated the efficacy of topical prostaglandins. The two agents have not been compared head-to-head in the published literature. The investigators attempt to compare the efficacy and safety of topical betamethasone and topical latanoprost in the treatment of localised alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that involves the hair follicles. Topical corticosteroids are the established agents for treating this disorder. Topical prostaglandins like latanoprost have also been used for this disorder. There are several case reports and case series which have demonstrated the efficacy of topical prostaglandins. However, the two agents i.e. topical corticosteroids and topical latanoprost have not been compared head-to-head in the published literature. The investigators attempt to compare the efficacy and safety of topical betamethasone and topical latanoprost in the treatment of localised alopecia areata.

Inclusion Criteria:

• • Cases of AA involving scalp and beard area, having 5 or less patches in all, involving less than 40% area

  • Stable disease without appearance of new patch or increase in size of existing patch for at least 15 days

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Pregnant and lactating women

  • Patients on topical treatment for alopecia in the past fifteen days or on systemic treatment for alopecia in the past one month
  • Presence of any contraindication for topical corticosteroids (local skin infections, skin atrophy) or latanoprost (pregnancy, lactation and dermatitis)
  • Any other coexisting hair disorder (viz., trichotillomania, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium)
  • Extensive disease i.e. >5 patches of AA or area involving >40% area / alopecia totalis/ alopecia universalis/ ophiasis