An objective analysis of sebum, pH and moisture levels of the external ear canal skin.
OBJECTIVE
To determine sebum, pH and moisture levels of external ear canal skin, and compare the patients who complain of ear itching and the normal population for these parameters. And evaluate the improvement subjectively in the ones given dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) cream or placebo-water in oil emulsion type cream, and to determine the changes in sebum, pH and moisture levels after the treatment.


METHODS
32 females with the complaint of isolated external ear canal itching and 42 healthy women were included in this randomized prospective controlled study. The sebum, pH and moisture levels of ear skin of the patients and the controls were determined from baseline and following treatment. Patients used DSP in their right and the placebo in their left ears for 15 days. Subjective analysis of itching level was measured at baseline, and on 15th and 30th days using visual analog scale (VAS).


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between pretreatment and post-treatment pH and sebum levels of the study group and the control group. However, pretreatment and post-treatment moisture levels of the study group were significantly higher (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The study found an association of increased moisture levels of the external ear canal skin and isolated ear itching.
Ministry of Health, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
Arzu
A
Tuzuner
Ministry of Health, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: sedenakdagli@gmail.com.
Seden
S
Akdagli
Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ankara, Turkey.
Tangul
T
Sen
Ministry of Health, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
Sule
S
Demirci
Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ankara, Turkey.
Nilufer
N
Tarimci
Ministry of Health, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
Refik
R
Caylan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004424:Ear Canal; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D005938:Glucocorticoids; C004180:dexamethasone 21-phosphate; D003907:Dexamethasone