Treatment of moderate to severe facial seborrheic dermatitis with itraconazole: An open non-comparative study

Avner Shemer, Baruch Kaplan, Nir Nathansohn, Marcelo H. Grunwald, Boaz Amichai, Henri Trau

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    27 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Background: Seborrheic dermatitis a common chronic disease. Malassezia yeasts have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease. Antifungal agents are known to be effective in the treatment of Malassezia yeast infections. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole in the treatment of mild to severe facial seborrheic dermatitis. Methods: Sixty patients with moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis were evaluated in an open non-comparative study. Patients were treated with oral itraconazole, initially 200 mg/day for a week, followed by a maintenance therapy of a single dose of 200 mg every 2 weeks. Four clinical parameters (erythema, scaling, burning, itching) were assesed using a 0-3 score. Mycological evaluation determined the presence of Malassezia spores in the scales using a direct smear. Results: At the end a the initial treatment significant improvement was reported in three clinical parameters: erythema, scaling, itching. Maintenance therapy led to only slight further improvement. Burning sensation was only mildly improved during the treatment. The quantity of Malassezia spores present in the direct smear decreased throughout the treatment period. No blood test abnormalities were found during the treatment. Conclusions: In this study initial treatment with itraconazole was beneficial in patients with moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)417-418
    Number of pages2
    JournalIsrael Medical Association Journal
    Volume10
    Issue number6
    StatePublished - 13 Aug 2008

    Keywords

    • Itraconazole
    • Seborrheic dermatitis

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Medicine

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