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Short-term efficacy observation of β-carotene capsules in the treatment of summer dermatitis
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Release time：2012-03-24 11:22
【Abstract】Objective To observe the effect of β-carotene capsules in the treatment of summer dermatitis. Methods The treatment group orally took 4 β-carotene capsules, 3 times/d, for 1 week. The control group used antipruritic ointment (containing camphor and menthol) externally applied to the affected area twice daily for 1 week. Results In the treatment group of 50 cases, 35 cases were cured, 8 cases were significantly effective, 5 cases were effective, and 2 cases were ineffective, with a total effective rate of 86%. Conclusion β-carotene capsules are significantly more effective in treating summer dermatitis than the control group (P<0.01). It is an alternative medicine to vitamin A, with good efficacy and few side effects with short-term, high-dose use. It brings a new idea to the treatment of skin diseases.
Keywords Summer dermatitis, β-carotene, Antipruritic ointment
Summer dermatitis is a common dermatological disease, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. Our department initially used β-carotene capsules to treat summer dermatitis with a control group from 2002 to 2004, and now summarizes the report as follows.
1. Materials and Methods
1.1 General Information 100 cases meeting the diagnostic criteria for summer dermatitis were selected, all of whom were outpatient cases. Among them, 58 were male and 42 were female, aged 51-92 years, with an average age of 68 years. The course of the disease was 4-14 days, with an average of 6 days. The pre-treatment score was 6-12 points, with an average of 10 points. The cases were divided into two groups: 50 cases in the treatment group took β-carotene capsules orally, and 50 cases in the control group used antipruritic ointment externally.
1.2 Case Selection The inclusion criteria for cases were based on the diagnostic criteria for summer dermatitis described in the "Practical Handbook of Dermatology" [1]. The lesions of the selected cases were limited to the extensor surfaces of the limbs, mainly in the pretibial area of both legs, with symmetrical distribution, and all had subjective pruritus. Age and gender were not limited, they voluntarily participated in the trial, and were able to cooperate closely with the doctor and accept regular follow-up. Exclusion criteria: patients with skin diseases complicated by bacterial or fungal infections; those with known allergic reactions to the treatment drugs; pregnant and lactating women. Exclusion criteria: those who did not complete the efficacy assessment, or those who did not use the drugs as required, and those who did not follow up on time.
1.3 Treatment and Methods
1.3.1 Medication Methods The treatment group orally took 4 β-carotene capsules (Yan'an Pharmaceutical Factory product), 3 times/d, for 1 week. The control group used antipruritic ointment (containing camphor and menthol) externally applied to the affected area twice daily for 1 week.
1.3.2 Observation Methods Before enrollment, medical history was recorded, and the 6th day and the 14th day after treatment were used as observation and follow-up days, recording the lesion condition, subjective symptoms, and adverse reactions of both groups.
1.3.3 Observation Indicators The observation indicators basically refer to the standards described in the relevant literature [2], including lesions (erythema, papules, papules, etc.), their area and pruritus indicators. According to the condition (0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe), scoring was performed, and the sum of the scores of each indicator was the pre-treatment score of the patient. Efficacy index = (Pre-treatment score - Post-treatment score) / Pre-treatment score × 100%
1.4 Efficacy Evaluation Criteria Cure: lesions completely disappeared, itching disappeared; Marked effect: score reduction >80%; Effective: score reduction 40%-80%; Ineffective: score reduction <40%. Cure and marked effect were combined as total effectiveness, and the total effectiveness rate was calculated accordingly.
2. Results
2.1 Comparison of Efficacy Between the Two Groups After taking the medication in the treatment group, the patients' lesions improved to varying degrees, and the itching was significantly reduced within 2-4 days after taking the medication in most patients. When evaluating the efficacy, according to the efficacy index, the results were evaluated according to the evaluation criteria. The comparison of efficacy between the treatment group and the control group, after statistical Ridit analysis u=60>2.58, P<0.01. Combined with the efficacy of this example, the better the level, the higher the level, it can be considered that the treatment group is significantly better than the control group. The clinical efficacy results are shown in Table 1.
2.2 Side Effects No side effects or local adverse reactions were observed in either the treatment group or the control group.
3. Discussion
Summer dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease that occurs frequently in summer
Table 1 Summer Dermatitis Efficacy Statistics (Cases)
in the limbs, especially the pretibial skin of the lower legs, with unbearable pruritus. In recent years, the incidence rate among outpatients aged 50 and above has been high, with no gender difference. Because in this age group, hormone levels begin to decline, the metabolism and utilization of vitamins in the body change, and there is a lack of vitamin A in the body, manifested as dry and inelastic skin, poor anti-free radical and antioxidant capacity, and easy to suffer from various skin diseases. Vitamin A is one of the essential nutrients for the human body, but it is also easy to overdose and cause side effects. Carotene is the original substance for the human body to convert into vitamin A. 6μg of carotene synthesizes 1μg of vitamin A. If carotene enters the body and ensures the content of vitamin A, it will not cause vitamin A accumulation or damage to the human body. In addition, carotene can neutralize harmful free radicals through antioxidant effects, protecting the body from free radical damage. In the struggle between the immune system and pathogens, a large number of immune cells perish together with pathogens, which will increase the burden on the immune system and excessively consume immunoglobulins. Carotene can make T lymphocytes more active in the struggle against pathogens. They can provide some substances needed for the immune system to produce antibodies, thereby maintaining the level of antibodies in the body. The effect of β-carotene capsules in the treatment of summer dermatitis is significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.01). At the same time, the author observed that many patients can prevent the recurrence of summer dermatitis by taking the maintenance dose of β-carotene capsules (2 times/d, 2 capsules each time). The conclusion drawn from clinical application is that carotene is an alternative medicine to vitamin A, with good efficacy and few side effects with short-term, high-dose use. It provides a new approach to the treatment of skin diseases.
References
1、Wang, Xiaosheng. Practical Handbook of Dermatology. Shanghai: Shanghai Science and Technology Education Publishing House, 1992, 95.
2、Tu, Ping. Treatment of 30 cases of dermatitis and eczema with 0.1% mometasone furoate cream. Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 1997, 30(4): 285.
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