Effective treatment of seborrheic dermatitis using a low dose, oral homeopathic medication consisting of potassium bromide, sodium bromide, nickel sulfate, and sodium chloride in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Topical over-the-counter remedies exist to aid in the control of seborrheic dermatitis and chronic dandruff on a superficial level. Low-dose systemic oral nickel and bromide therapy has shown promise in providing improvement and eventual clearing of the disease.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the effect of an orally administered low-dose, homeopathic mineral therapy (Potassium bromide 1X, Sodium bromide 2X, Nickel sulfate 3X, Sodium chloride 6X) on seborrheic dermatitis and chronic dandruff.

METHODS:

Forty-one patients with seborrheic dermatitis and/or chronic dandruff were assigned to one of two treatment groups: Active (containing the medication) or placebo (vehicle). Study medication was administered in a placebo-controlled, randomly-selected, double-blind study for 10 weeks. At the end of 10 weeks all patients crossed over to the active medication, under a different label for an additional 10 weeks in an open study format.

RESULTS:

Twenty-nine patients completed the 10-week blinded portion of the study. After 10 weeks of treatment, the disease state of the active patients improved significantly over that of the placebo patients (p<0.04). The placebo patients' condition before and after crossover to active treatment was also evaluated, showing significant improvement (p<0.01) 10 weeks after crossing over to active medication.

CONCLUSION:

Oral therapy using a low-dose homeopathic preparation combining Potassium bromide 1X, Sodium bromide 2X, Nickel sulfate 3X, and Sodium chloride 6X, provides significant improvement in seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff after 10 weeks of dosing.

• Authors: Steven A Smith, Ardith E Baker, John H Williams
• Journal: Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic (Altern Med Rev) Vol. 7 Issue 1 Pg. 59-67 (Feb 2002) ISSN: 1089-5159 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11896746 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Bromides
• Drug Combinations
• Potassium Compounds
• Sodium Compounds
• Sodium Chloride
• nickel sulfate
• Nickel
• sodium bromide
• potassium bromide

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Bromides (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Dermatitis, Seborrheic (drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Combinations
• Female
• Homeopathy (methods)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nickel (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Patient Selection
• Potassium Compounds (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Sodium Chloride (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Sodium Compounds (administration & dosage, adverse effects)