Itraconazole in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis: a new treatment modality.
BACKGROUND
Due to the high rate of recurrence, seborrheic dermatitis (SD) represents a therapeutic problem.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of oral itraconazole in the treatment of SD.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with SD were enrolled in the study. All topical and oral treatments were stopped. The patients applied 1% hydrocortisone cream twice daily for 1 month. In addition, they took itraconazole, 200 mg/day, during the first week of the first month and then hydrocortisone cream was stopped and itraconazole (200 mg/day) was given on the first 2 days of the following 11 months. The patients were followed for 2 months without medicine. The severity score was measured at the initial evaluation, and at the first, 12th, and 14th months.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients completed the study. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean severity score at the first, 12th, and 14th months. On the final evaluation at the 12th month, 19 of the 28 patients showed a complete improvement, and three patients showed a slight improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that itraconazole plays an important role in the treatment of SD.
Baysal
Vahide
V
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Suleyman Demirel, Isparta, Turkey. vahide@med.sdu.edu.tr
Yildirim
Mehmet
M
Ozcanli
Cagnur
C
Ceyhan
A Murat
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole