Treatment of alopecia areata with DNCB--an immunostimulation?

Ten patients with long-standing areate type alopecia totalis were sensitized with 1-chloro, 2, 4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB). Following sensitization they were painted once weekly on a 40 X 20 mm area of the vertex with DNCB in acetone, in concentrations adjusted to the allergic response. After 7 weeks, growth of hair was seen in the painted area in 3 patients and after 8 weeks all over the scalp in 3 other patients.