To the Editor.—
In the last six years, many authors have described the possibility of treatment of alopecia areata (AA) with three topical sensitizers: dinitrochlorobenzene, squaric acid dibutylester, and diphencyprone.1 Recently, evidence has been given for an "immunologic" rather than an "irritative" mechanism of action.2 In our review of the recent literature, however, we have not been able to find any reference to the possibility of treatment of AA with a natural-contact allergen.
Report of a Case.—
A 24-year-old woman came to our clinic complaining of an extensive AA that had begun eight months earlier. During this time, she had been treated with several topical drugs (mainly steroids) with no success. Results of a routine physical examination and analytical data were normal. There was no family or personal history of AA, atopy, autoimmune diseases, or hypertension. The only notable pathological finding was a history of intolerance to several metallic