Diffuse hypertrichosis in the course of hepatitis C treatment by IFN-alpha and ribavirin.

A 32-year-old man suffered from hemophilia and hepatitis C. Treatment by interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin was prescribed. After 6 months, the patient noted a diffuse hair growth, whereas he was beardless before treatment. This hypertrichosis was treated by laser therapy. No hypertrichosis is known in patients with hemophilia or viral hepatitis. Ribavirin has not been described as an inducer of hair growth. IFN-alpha is known to induce telogen effluvium, but some cases of hypertrichosis of the eyelashes or eyebrows have been reported. In this patient, the hypertrichosis is probably caused by IFN.