Facial Seborrheic Dermatitis in HIV-Seropositive Patients: Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Non-Steroidal Cream Containing Piroctone Olamine, Biosaccharide Gum-2 and Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate – A Case Series

Abstract

Facial seborrheic dermatitis is common in HIV-positive patients, and the presence of facial lesions can affect quality of life. The management and control of lesions can be frustrating for both physicians and patients. In this pilot clinical study, we clinically evaluated the effectiveness of a topical non-steroidal cream in treating mild to moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis in 20 HIV-positive patients. The patients applied a twice-a-day topical cream containing zinc PCA, piroctone olamine, hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid, biosaccharide gum-2, and stearyl glycyrrhetinate for 12 weeks with no topical or oral antifungal or corticosteroid treatment. Signs and symptoms and tolerance were assessed before, during, and at the end of treatment. All of the patients showed clinical improvement after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. None of the patients had no response to treatment, and no adverse effects were reported. No rescue therapy with corticosteroids was needed. The patients reported a very noticeable improvement in their skin which contributed to high compliance with the protocol requirement.

A Comprehensive Review on HIV-Associated Dermatologic Manifestations: From Epidemiology to Clinical Management

“…HIV-related seborrheic dermatitis can be more severe and resistant to usual therapies such as less potent topical corticosteroids and topical azoles, with more frequent relapses. Moreover, scales are usually thicker and more yellowish and erythroderma also occurs more commonly in HIV-related SD [ 11 ]. However, most cases of HIV-associated seborrheic dermatitis regress with ART; therefore, timely detection of HIV infection can improve the prognosis [ 12 ].…”

Skin and mucosal lesions in the course of HIV infection

“…Additionally, the scales are often thicker and more yellowish, and erythroderma tends to occur more frequently in HIV-related seborrheic dermatitis [14]. Nevertheless, the majority of instances of seborrheic dermatitis linked to HIV show improvement with antiretroviral therapy (ART); hence, prompt identification of HIV infection can enhance the overall prognosis [15].…”