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

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.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Bath therapy; Catechin; Green tea extract.

Fig. 1

A, B, Erythematous plaques and papules with excoriation and lichenification were observed on both popliteal and cubital areas before treatment; C, D, Clinical improvement of atopic dermatitis was observed after 12 bath treatments with green tea extracts.

Fig. 2

Changes in scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index values.

Fig. 3

Changes in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of patients.

Fig. 4

Variation of total eosinophil counts of patients at baseline and week 4.