title: 5% Aluminium chloride hexahydrate and sebum excretion rate.
abstract: The present study was designed to assess whether 5% aluminium chloride hexahydrate in absolute alcohol exerted any effect on sebaceous gland excretory activity. Eleven acne patients controlled with long-term antibiotics applied active and placebo solutions in a double-blind trial. The sebum excretion rate was measured on two control visits and thereafter at fortnightly intervals for a further 6 weeks. Patients preferred the 'active' solution, many claiming increased dryness of their skin. However, neither the 'active' nor 'placebo' solution had a significant demonstrable effect on sebum excretion rate. The beneficial effect of topical aluminium chloride hexahydrate is therefore assumed to be due to factors other than an alteration in sebum excretion.
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002712:Chlorides; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism*; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002712:Chlorides; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D000535:Aluminum