THERAPEUTICAL NOTE   

Esperienze Dermatologiche 2012 December;14(4):167-71

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Clinical and instrumental evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of cream containing colloidal sulphur and salicylic acid in the treatment of mild-moderate seborrheic dermatitis: an open-label study

Borgia F., Trifirò C., Bartolotta A., Luca G., Cannavò S. P.

Dipartimento di Medicine Specialistiche, UOC di Dermatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria “G. Martino” di Messina, Messina, Italia

Aim: There are many therapeutic options, both topical and systemic, for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, which efficacy is often limited by poor compliance and rebound phenomenon. Salicylic acid and colloidal sulphur have potent anti-seborrheic, antimicotic, antimicrobic and exfoliant /keratolityc activity and their combined use may represent a suitable topical therapy for this dermatitis. The aim of our work was to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of an evanescent cream containing colloidal sulphur and salicylic acid for treatment of mild-moderate seborrheic dermatitis.
Methods: Thirty patients affected by mild-moderate seborrheic dermatitis were treated with daily application of the cream; they underwent clinical and instrumental evaluation, with measurement of skin hydration, sebum production, erythema and TEWL, in basal conditions and after 14, 30 days of treatment and 1 month after suspension of the therapy. Quality of life was evaluated by use of Skindex-29 questionnaire.
Results: At the end of the treatment period it was possible to assess a significant improvement of the cutaneous features, with important relief or disappearance of clinical manifestations and reduction of instrumental parameters; these results were stable at 1 month follow-up. The cream was well-tolerated, with positive impact on the quality of life.
Conclusions: The combined use of salicylic acid and colloidal sulfur, owing to the synergic antimicrobic, antimicotic, antiseborrheic and exfoliating action, is a valid, effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for seborrheic dermatitis.