Effective treatment of seborrheic dermatitis using a low dose, oral homeopathic medication consisting of potassium bromide, sodium bromide, nickel sulfate, and sodium chloride in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Topical over-the-counter remedies exist to aid in the control of seborrheic dermatitis and chronic dandruff on a superficial level. Low-dose systemic oral nickel and bromide therapy has shown promise in providing improvement and eventual clearing of the disease.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the effect of an orally administered low-dose, homeopathic mineral therapy (Potassium bromide 1X, Sodium bromide 2X, Nickel sulfate 3X, Sodium chloride 6X) on seborrheic dermatitis and chronic dandruff.


METHODS
Forty-one patients with seborrheic dermatitis and/or chronic dandruff were assigned to one of two treatment groups: Active (containing the medication) or placebo (vehicle). Study medication was administered in a placebo-controlled, randomly-selected, double-blind study for 10 weeks. At the end of 10 weeks all patients crossed over to the active medication, under a different label for an additional 10 weeks in an open study format.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients completed the 10-week blinded portion of the study. After 10 weeks of treatment, the disease state of the active patients improved significantly over that of the placebo patients (p<0.04). The placebo patients' condition before and after crossover to active treatment was also evaluated, showing significant improvement (p<0.01) 10 weeks after crossing over to active medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral therapy using a low-dose homeopathic preparation combining Potassium bromide 1X, Sodium bromide 2X, Nickel sulfate 3X, and Sodium chloride 6X, provides significant improvement in seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff after 10 weeks of dosing.
Smith
Steven A
SA
Loma Lux Laboratories, Tulsa, OK, USA. ssmith@lomalux.com
Baker
Ardith E
AE
Williams
John H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001965:Bromides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018579:Patient Selection; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D001965:Bromides; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C029938:nickel sulfate; D009532:Nickel; C027938:sodium bromide; C039004:potassium bromide