Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ivermectin 1% Cream and Ketoconazole 2% Cream in Treating Facial Seborrheic...

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common, chronic, and relapsing disease affecting the patients' quality of life. Expanding the treatment armamentarium provides better care for patients. Topical ivermectin, an anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic agent, is a potential treatment for SD. We designed this study to assess the effectiveness of topical ivermectin in treating facial SD.

Thirty-six out of 40 patients completed this double-blind, randomized controlled study. In the first group, 17 patients received 2% ketoconazole cream twice a day and cold cream at night, and in the second group, 19 patients applied 1% ivermectin cream once nightly and cold cream twice daily. At the beginning of the study, 1 and 2 months later, the parameters of SEborrheic Dermatitis Area and Severity Index (SEDASI), erythema index, pruritus severity, and quality of life (DLQI score) were measured in both groups.

Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that both ivermectin and ketoconazole significantly improved SEDASI scores and erythema index over time (p < 0.001), but the efficacy of treatments was not significantly different (p = 0.60 and p = 0.72, respectively). Both itch severity and quality of life significantly improved in patients from both treatment groups (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatments in terms of their effect on itch score (p = 0.20) or quality of life (p = 0.09), indicating that neither treatment was superior to the other in these outcomes.

Ivermectin cream is a safe and effective treatment for facial SD, and is as effective as topical ketoconazole in reducing SEDASI score, erythema index, itch score, and DLQI score of SD patients. Topical ivermectin could be added to the therapeutic armamentarium of SD.(Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials registration No: IRCT20210222050452N1).