title: Topical clobetasol in conjunction with topical tretinoin is effective in preventing scar formation after superficial partial-thickness burn ulcers of the skin: A retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Deep erythema and inflammation after re-epithelialization of superficial wounds is a sign of scar formation. Corticosteroids may prevent scarring by suppression of inflammation and fibroblast activity. Tretinoin may increase the efficacy of corticosteroids in this setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroids plus tretinoin for prevention of scars after superficial wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study of patients with superficial partial thickness thermal skin burn, we compared the patients who received clobetasol plus tretinoin after re-epithelialization with patients who did not receive any medication. Clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment was used twice daily with overnight occlusive dressing in conjunction with twice weekly topical tretinoin 0.05% cream.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 43 patients who had light pink or no erythema after re-epithelialization and consequently did not receive clobetasol + tretinoin, no scar was developed. Among patients who had deep erythema after re-epithelialization, rate of scar formation was significantly higher in 14 patients who did not receive clobetasol + tretinoin than in 21 patients who received clobetasol + tretinoin (64% and 19%, respectively; p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clobetasol + tretinoin can significantly decrease the incidence of scar formation in patients with inflammation after re-epithelialization of superficial wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem, NC , USA .
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taheri
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moradi Tuchayi
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alinia
authors.forename: Courtney S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Orscheln
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mansoori
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D062326:Re-Epithelialization; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014212:Tretinoin; D002990:Clobetasol
keywords: Burn; clobetasol; corticosteroid; scar; skin; tretinoin; wound