title: Evaluation of a Topical Anti-inflammatory/Antifungal Combination Cream in Mild-to-moderate Facial Seborrheic Dermatitis: An Intra-subject Controlled Trial Examining Treated vs. Untreated Skin Utilizing Clinical Features and Erythema-directed Digital Photography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if nonprescription topical agents may provide positive outcomes in the management of mild-to-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis by reducing inflammation and scale production through clinical evaluation and erythema-directed digital photography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-label, prospective, not-blinded, intra-patient, controlled, clinical trial (target area).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty adult subjects affected by mild-to-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis were enrolled and instructed to apply the study cream two times daily, initially on a selected target area only for seven days. If the subject developed visible improvement, it was advised to extend the application to all facial affected area for 21 additional days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Efficacy was evaluated by measuring the grade of erythema (by clinical examination and by erythema-directed digital photography), desquamation (by clinical examination), and pruritus (by subject-completed visual analog scale). Additionally, at the end of the protocol, a Physician Global Assessment was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen subjects completed the study, whereas two subjects were lost to follow-up for nonadherence and personal reasons, respectively. Day 7 data from target areas showed a significant reduction in erythema. At the end of study, a significant improvement was recorded for erythema, desquamation, and pruritus compared to baseline. Physician Global Assessment showed improvement in 89 percent of patients, with a complete response in 56 percent of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results indicate that the study cream may be a viable nonprescription therapeutic option for patients affected by facial seborrheic dermatitis able to determine early and significant improvement. This study also emphasizes the advantages of using an erythema-directed digital photography system for assisting in a simple, more accurate erythema severity grading and therapeutic monitoring in patients affected by seborrheic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Clinic, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dall'Oglio
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Clinic, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tedeschi
authors.affiliation: A.O.U. Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guardabasso
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Clinic, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Micali