The efficacy of soap pod shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is a common disorder that affects not only the psyche but also the behavior of patients. The natural history is chronic and intermittent. Treatments are mainly topical drugs or shampoos. Acacia concinna (soap pod) has been used as an ingredient in shampoos for a long time. Soap pods contain saponin, a substance which has surfactant, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. The efficacy of soap pod shampoo in clinical practice has never been studied before.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of soap pod shampoo in treating seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp compared with placebo.

Material and method: Soap pod shampoo was compared with placebo in patients with seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp in a controlled, double-blind, cross-over study with two treatment periods in randomized sequence, each of four-week duration and a washout period of two weeks between shampoos. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by desquamation index, clinical 4-point-scale score criteria and the side effects reported by patients. Data analyses were performed using Friedman two-way analysis of variance and Wilcoxon signed rank test for clinical 4-point-scale score criteria.  Comparisons among desquamation index were done using 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance.  

Results: 74 patients were included in the analyses. At week 2 and week 4 soap pod shampoo significantly reduced erythema and extension of the lesions. Dandruffs were not significantly reduced, as shown by both the 4-point-scale dandruff scores and desquamation index. There were no serious adverse events reported during the study period.

Conclusion: Soap pod shampoo is safe and could be an alternative option in treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.