title: Oral itraconazole for the treatment of severe seborrhoeic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is an inflammatory skin disorder in which colonies of Malassezia furfur have been found in affected areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole in the treatment of severe SD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Itraconazole was given to 30 patients of SD in a dose of 100 mg twice daily for 1 week followed by 200 mg/day for first 2 days of the following 2 months. The response was noted on day 15, 30, 60, and 90. The clinical response was graded as markedly effective, effective, or ineffective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical improvement (evaluated as markedly effective or effective) was observed in 83.3% cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anti-inflammatory activity of oral itraconazole suggests that it should be the first-line therapy in severe SD.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata, West Bengal.
authors: Jayasri
authors: J
authors: Das
authors: Monalisa
authors: M
authors: Majumdar
authors: Urmita
authors: U
authors: Chakraborty
authors: Vivek
authors: V
authors: Majumdar
authors: Gautam
authors: G
authors: Mazumdar
authors: Jayasree
authors: J
authors: Nath