Efficacy of melaleuca alternifolia essential oil in the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Melaleuca alternifolia [tea tree] essential oil has been traditionally used in the ayurvedic system of medicine for healing burns, infections and seborrheic dermatitis. But yet, no controlled human study has determined its efficacy. The goal of the current study was to compare the efficacy of 5% tea tree essential oil [TTO] gel with placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis. Fifty four patients with mild to moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis reffered to Skin Diseases Research Center, in the Qazvin city, Iran, were randomly divided into two groups and treated with either 5% TTO gel or placebo three times daily for 4 weeks. The patients follow-ups were conducted in both groups after 2 and 4 weeks with evaluating of erythema, scaling, itching and greasy crusts. Forty two patients completed the treatment course. There were significant differences between the TTO and placebo groups in the improvement of erythema, scaling, itching and greasy crusts [p < 0.05]. Allergic side - effects were seen in neither group. 5% TTO gel is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis

[Hand dermatitis among staff in Loghman Hospital in Tehran]

An investigation of the prevalence of occupational hand dermatitis in Loghman Hakim, a large teaching hospital in Tehran, was conducted. Information concerning the presence of occupational hand dermatitis, frequency of hand-washing and glove consumption, duration of contact with glove and wet environment, past history of hand eczema, personal and family history of atopy, kind of ward, kind of used detergent, underling systemic disease, history of systemic drug consumption, duration of employment, cigarette consumption, and demographic factors [including age, gender, hobbies, and occupation] was collected via a questionnaire and physical examination by dermatologist. To determine the type of occupational hand dermatitis, allergic or irritant, patch test was performed. The prevalence of occupational hand dermatitis was found to be 44% in total population. No relationship was found between occupational hand dermatitis and age, hobbies, frequency of hand-washing and glove consumption, duration of contact with glove and wet environment, cigarette consumption, duration of employment, type of ward, kind of used detergent, underling systemic disease, history of systemic drug consumption, and duration of employment. There were statistically significant differences between two groups of stuff [with and without occupational hand dermatitis] in their gender, past history of hand eczema, and personal and family history of atopy. Out of 43 stuff underwent patch test, 50% had allergic occupational hand dermatitis. The most common positive allergen was nickel. The high prevalence rate of occupational hand dermatitis among intra-hospital staff causes great concern about the health risks of these workers when they would expose to blood-borne diseases