title: Role of menthol in treatment of candidial napkin dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The antibacterial, antifungal and probable anti-inflammatory effects of menthol were evaluated in the treatment of napkin dermatitis (ND).
  
  
  METHODS
  A pilot clinical trial was conducted in Iran at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Eligible neonates with a diagnosis of candidial ND who did not require critical care or systematic antifungal and anti-inflammatory drugs were included in the study. Overall, 84 patients were randomly allocated into two groups: menthol group (n=42) receiving standard therapy (topical clotrimazole) plus menthol drops applied topically and control group (n=42) receiving standard therapy plus a placebo. Thirty-five neonates in each group finished the course of study and were analyzed for skin rash using Munz and Concannon rash scoring methods before therapy and on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th day after the treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic data and the baseline total skin rash score were not significantly different between the menthol and control groups. The total course of therapy for complete healing was found to be shorter in the menthol group (4.3±1.6 vs. 6.9±1.8 days, P=0.0001) and erythema and pustules had a significant (P=0.0001) relief in this group. During the study no severe adverse effects of the drug were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical application of menthol may be effective in treatment of candidial ND.
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Clinical Toxicology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Mohammad
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sabzghabaee
authors.forename: Firouzeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nili
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghannadi
authors.forename: Nastaran
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eizadi-Mood
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anvari
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003022:Clotrimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003963:Diaper Rash / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000982:Antipruritics; D008610:Menthol; D003022:Clotrimazole