An open, controlled trial of 10% sulphur-3% salicylic acid soap versus bland soap for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor
Keywords:
Pityriasis versicolor, medicate soaps, bland soapsAbstract
Background Medicated soaps are being used increasingly and promoted by pharmaceuticals in different skin diseases including PV. Objective This study was planned to compare the efficacy of Sastid® bar (10% sulfur-3% salicylic acid) and Stie® bar (bland soap) in the treatment of PV. Patients and methods In this open controlled and comparative study conducted at dermatology department CMH,Lahore from February, 2002 to October, 2002, 90 patients of either sex in the age group 14-59 years were enrolled. Diagnosis was confirmed by yellow fluorescence with Wood’s lamp and microscopy of scrapings for fungal hyphae and spores. Patients were randomly divided into two groups i.e. group 1 (n=50) used Sastid® bar and group 2 (n=40) applied Stie® bar to take bath twice daily for two weeks. Wood’s lamp and microscopic examination was done for presence or absence of fungus at the end of two weeks and ten weeks (follow up period). Results There was rapid initial clearance of PV with Sastid® bar 80% as compared to Stie® bar 11% (P<0.001) but relapse rate was as high as 70% at the end of ten weeks. Conclusion Medicated soaps alone are not very effective for treatment of PV but may be used as maintenance or combination with other topical antifungals.References
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