Three Cases of Refractory Facial Eruption Successfully Treated with Kakkonkokato / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Kakkonkokato is a special formula used for the treatment of rosacea-like dermatitis lesions in the nasal region, but very few cases treated with this formulation have been reported so far. Here, we report three patients with refractory facial eruptions of rosacea-like dermatitis treated successfully with kakkonkokato. Case1was a 39-year-old man who presented with a 15-year history of rosacea-like dermatitis lesions in the nasal region. After 3 weeks' treatment with kakkonkokato, a marked improvement of his lesions was seen, with disappearance of the redness of his face. Case 2 was a 56-year-old woman who presented with a prolonged history of itchy eruptions around her mouth and nasal region. After 8 weeks' treatment with kakkonkokato, an almost complete disappearance of her eruptions was observed. Case 3 was a 26-year-old woman who presented with atopic dermatitis and intractable erythema under her nose, which was refractory to treatment with steroid ointments and antiallergic agents. After 2 months' treatment with kakkonkokato, her erythema completely resolved, along with improvement of the systemic lesions of atopic dermatitis. The observations in these three cases suggest that kakkonkokato may be a useful formula for the treatment of not only rosacea-like dermatitis in the nasal region, but also of refractory facial eruptions of other causes.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori and rosacea: it may be a myth

Although it is debatable whether Helicobacter pylori may play a role in the pathogenesis of rosacea, some authors suggested that the treatment of H. pylori might have a beneficial effect. The aim of this investigation was to compare the prevalence of H. pylori between rosacea patients and controls, and to evaluate an effect of H. pylori eradication on rosecea by a 2-week triple therapy that was composed of amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole. H. pylori was detected by using gastroscopic biopsy with Warthin-Starry stain. Forty-two (84%) of 50 patients with rosacea and 39 (78%) of 50 controls had H. pylori, showing no significant difference in prevalence. The cure rates of H. pylori in rosacea patients and controls were 80% (16/20) and 85% (17/20), respectively. There was no significant decrease in the intensity of erythema in active treatment and placebo groups both during and after the treatment. Temporary improvement in papulopustules exclusively during the treatment (within 2 weeks) could be independent of H. pylori eradication. Overall, no significant reduction in the number of papulopustules was observed in active treatment and placebo groups after the treatment (in 2 months). Taken together, our study found no significant lessening of rosacea lesions by treating H. pylori infection, which conclusively does not concur with a view that H. pylori may be related to rosacea.