Eyelash and eyebrow trichomegaly induced by interferon-alfa 2a [5]

Adverse effects due to interferon (IFN)-alfa have been well documented, usually as influenza-like symptoms, depression, autoimmune diseases, acute renal failure and neuropathy.1 The most commonly encountered skin and hair disorder related to IFN-alfa therapy is alopecia, but changes in hair pigment (discoloration, greying, repigmentation) and appearance (curling or straightening) have also been reported.2 Hypertrichosis has also been reported as a rare side-effect of therapy, especially of the eyelashes.3–5 We report a patient treated with IFN-alfa-2a who developed trichomegaly of the eyelashes and eyebrows. To our knowledge, this is the first case of trichomegaly related to IFN-alfa-2a therapy.