A double-blind randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of 5% tea tree oil cleanser versus mild cleanser in the treatment of mild-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis

ABSTRACT

Background@#Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disease characterized by erythema, scaling, pruritus over the areas of the scalp, face, ears, sternum and upper back. Tea tree oil is rich in terpene alcohols such as terpinen-4-ol which is thought to be the active germicidal component. @*Objective@#To determine the efficacy of 5% tea tree oil cleanser in the treatment of mild-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis and to determine the adverse side effects. @*Methods@#Forty-five patients with clinical signs of seborrheic dermatitis were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups mild cleanser and the 5% tea tree oil group. This study was done as a double-blind randomized controlled trial for 4 weeks. The parameters - area involved, erythema, scaling, and Seborrehea Area and Severity Index were taken at baseline and weekly for 4 weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, the difference of the two groups were compared using paired t-test. @*Results@#After 4 weeks, significant clinical improvement of the area involved, erythema, and scaling and the reduction of Seborrhea Area and Severity@*Conclusion@#The use of 5% tea tree oil cleanser provides significant improvement in the treatment of mild-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis with no adverse side effects.