Topical metronidazole in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis - Placebo controlled a double-blind study

Abstract

Background and design: There is no definitive treatment but topical steroid creams and antifungal agents are commonly used to control seborrhoeic dermatitis. Recently it is suggested that topical metronidazole with its anti-inflamatory effects could be useful in seborrheic dermatitis. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical 0.75 % metronidazole gel. Material and Method: Forty patients with seborrheic dermatitis were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Patients in first group were applied topical 0.75 % metronidazole gel and second group placebo (vehicle gel). Lesions were evaluated with the severity score at 2nd-4th-6th-8th weeks. Results: Thirty-three patients completed the study (15 patients in the metronidazole group, 18 patients in the placebo group). One patients in the placebo group, five patients in the metronidazole group left the study because of the side effects. There is no statistically significant difference in the severity score between two groups. Conclusion: In the present study we concluded that the effect of the metronidazole % 0.75 gel in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis was not superior to placebo.