Mycobiology.  2012 Jun;40(2):124-128. 10.5941/MYCO.2012.40.2.124.

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis Associated with Malassezia sympodialis by Green Tea Extracts Bath Therapy: A Pilot Study

• Kim HK
• Chang HK
• Baek SY
• Chung JO
• Rha CS
• Kim SY
• Kim BJ
• Kim MN

• KMID: 2052901
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5941/MYCO.2012.40.2.124

Abstract

Multiple treatment modalities, including topical and systemic corticosteroid and phototherapy, have been used in treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. However, long-term corticosteroid therapy may have various adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of bath therapy using green tea extracts for treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. A total of four patients with atopic dermatitis were enrolled in this study. A Malassezia multiplex detection kit was used in performance of multiplex PCR on clinical isolates, which confirmed Malassezia sympodialis. Subjects underwent treatment with bath therapy using green tea extracts three times per wk for a period of 4 wk. Assessment using the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, the visual analogue scale for pruritus, and transepidermal water loss was performed weekly. Laboratory tests were performed before and after treatment. All patients showed marked improvement on the mean SCORAD and visual analogue scale, and a significant decrease in the mean values of serum eosinophil counts was observed after treatment. Bath therapy with green tea extract is an effective, safe, and nonsteroidal therapy for treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis associated with Malassezia sympodialis.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Bath therapy; Catechin; Green tea extract

MeSH Terms

Baths
Catechin
Dermatitis, Atopic
Eosinophils
Humans
Malassezia
Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
Phototherapy
Pilot Projects
Pruritus
Tea
Catechin
Tea