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The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Comparative study between topically applied irradiated human amniotic membrane in combination with tea tree oil
Radwan K Nashwa1, El Bedewi Ahmed2, Waleed A Nemr3
1Dermatology Unit, Department of Health Radiation Research, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt. radwanashwa@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a chronic skin disease caused by virulence activities of Malassezia, a genus of skin-associated yeasts. Traditionally, Tioconazole is used as a topical antifungal for curing PV. Previous investigations cited that human amniotic membrane (HAM), a placental tissue, has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities and is useful as a dressing for healing skin lesions. Moreover, tea tree oil (TTO) has a potent antifungal efficacy. This clinical trial aims to achieve an alternative therapeutic treatment able to kill Malassezia and heal PV lesions using TTO-saturated HAM (TOSHAM), with little application times. This study subjected 120 patients with hypopigmented or hyperpigmented PV lesions; half patients were treated weekly with TOSHAM compared with the others who applying 1% Tioconazole cream daily as a traditional treatment. Microbiological evaluation of in vitro fungicidal activity of TOSHAM versus Tioconazole was carried out against Malassezia furfur culture. The clinical outcomes of this study proved the superior activity of TOSHAM to heal PV lesions than Tioconazole; this was in harmony with microbiological findings. This study approached a novel therapeutic treatment of PV with great outcomes by using TOSHAM.
Insights
Tea tree oil-saturated human amniotic membrane (TOSHAM) offers a superior, novel treatment for pityriasis versicolor (PV) skin lesions. This alternative therapy effectively combats Malassezia yeast with fewer applications than traditional treatments.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a chronic skin condition caused by Malassezia yeast.
- Tioconazole is a conventional topical antifungal treatment for PV.
- Human amniotic membrane (HAM) possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for skin healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate tea tree oil-saturated HAM (TOSHAM) as an alternative therapeutic treatment for PV.
- To compare the efficacy of TOSHAM with Tioconazole in treating PV lesions.
- To assess the antifungal activity of TOSHAM against Malassezia furfur.
Main Methods:
- A clinical trial involving 120 patients with PV lesions.
- Weekly application of TOSHAM versus daily application of 1% Tioconazole cream.
- In vitro microbiological evaluation of TOSHAM and Tioconazole against Malassezia furfur.
Main Results:
- TOSHAM demonstrated superior clinical efficacy in healing PV lesions compared to Tioconazole.
- Microbiological findings supported the superior antifungal activity of TOSHAM.
- The novel TOSHAM treatment showed promising outcomes for PV management.
Conclusions:
- TOSHAM presents a novel and effective therapeutic option for pityriasis versicolor.
- The combination of HAM and TTO offers enhanced antifungal and healing properties.
- TOSHAM provides a potentially advantageous treatment regimen with reduced application frequency.

