Therapy of Resistant Psoriasis with Topical Corticosteroids and Dimethylsulfoxide

Abstract

The sequential application of full-strength dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and potent topical corticosteroid preparations was very effective in resistant plaque-type psoriasis. Complete clearing may be achieved in 3–4 weeks. Lower strengths of DMSO were less beneficial. Irritation from the solvent was effectively controlled by corticosteroids and was limited to transient burning or stinging. Resistance to topical corticosteroids may be overcome by the concomitant use of DMSO.

Adverse reactions of dimethyl sulfoxide in humans: a systematic review

“…Skin reactions or allergic reactions were reported in 58 studies. DMSO was applied transdermally in 43 studies 2, 4, 6, 17, 19– 22, 24, 28– 32, 37, 44, 45, 52, 55, 57, 63, 64, 66, 67, 69, 72, 75, 76, 78, 79, 82, 83, 88, 89, 93, 95, 96, 106, 108, 109, 111– 113 , intravenously in 14 studies 25, 40, 41, 51, 59, 73, 74, 77, 85, 86, 92, 98, 101, 110 and intraarticular in one 103 ( Table 5).…”

“…Most skin reactions were transient, only lasting minutes 17, 24, 32, 67, 72 , but some studies reported cases described as serious, causing discontinuation of treatment 2, 6, 52, 63, 78, 96 . There were two studies describing that skin reactions to DMSO would disappear after days of continuous treatment 45, 83 .…”

“…In this review, we included 76 cohort studies, of which 64 were prospective 2, 4, 6, 7, 20, 22, 24– 27, 29, 31, 32, 34– 38, 40– 45, 48, 50– 54, 56, 58, 60, 63, 65, 66, 68– 70, 72, 73, 77, 80, 81, 83, 85, 88, 90, 92, 94, 97, 98, 101– 104, 107, 108, 110, 112, 115, 117, 118 and 13 were retrospective 9, 18, 23, 39, 46, 47, 61, 71, 74, 86, 87, 100, 105 . Bias was assessed using The Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale 14 .…”