title: Topical antimycotic treatment of atopic dermatitis in the head/neck area. A double-blind randomised study.
abstract: In order for us to evaluate the effect of topical antimycotic treatment in patients with atopic dermatitis affecting the head and neck area, 60 patients (36 females and 24 males; median age 28 years; range 14-53 years) were included in a double-blind study during 6 weeks. Of the 53 evaluable patients, 55% had positive skin prick tests to Pityrosporum ovale. In addition to oral antibiotic treatment, patients in group A (n = 26) were given miconazole-hydrocortisone cream and ketoconazole shampoo, whereas patients in group B (n = 27) were given hydrocortisone cream and placebo shampoo. At the start of the study P. ovale cultures were positive in 83% of all patients (no significant difference between the groups). After 4 weeks of treatment, there was a decrease in P. ovale colonisation in group A (p < 0.001) but not in group B. Patients in both groups improved (p < 0.001). The decrease in eczema score did not differ between group A and group B after 4 weeks' treatment. A further decrease of the eczema score was seen in both groups at the end of the study, but no difference was found between the groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Broberg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faergemann
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005436:Floxacillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008290:Malassezia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008825:Miconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D010919:Placebos; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D006203:Hair Preparations; D010919:Placebos; D005436:Floxacillin; D008825:Miconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole; D006854:Hydrocortisone