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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 - Original research: seborrhea

Alternative Medicine Review, Feb, 2002 by Steven A. Smith, Ardith E. Baker, John H. Williams, Jr.

Study Medication and Dosage Schedule

The liquid active study medication consists of potassium bromide (3.5 mg/mL), sodium bromide (3.0 mg/mL), nickel sulfate (0.6 mg/mL), and sodium chloride (0.06 mg/mL) in a vehicle of purified water and 20-percent ethyl alcohol (commercially available as Loma Lux Psoriasis[TM]). The placebo formula consisted of vehicle only. No other preservatives or flavor agents were added. With the alcohol flavor masking taste, there were no discernible differences between the study medication and placebo. High purity nickel sulfate hexahydrate, sodium bromide, sodium chloride, and potassium bromide suitable for human use was used in the study medication formulated as a homeopathic medication (Potassium bromide 1X, Sodium bromide 2X, Nickel Sulfate 3X, Sodium chloride 6X) in accordance with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. (21) Daily dosages were within acceptable dietary intake levels set by various government agencies.

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The patients self-administered the study drug on an eight-hour fasted stomach at the beginning of the day, before eating or drinking anything other than water. Only water was consumed for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication. The recommended dosing schedule depended on the patient's weight: up to 100 lbs dosed 2 mL/ day, 100-200 lbs dosed 4 mL/day, and over 200 lbs dosed 8 mL/day. Patients consuming 4 mL of the active medication ingested 0.91 mg of inorganic nickel and 18.7 mg of inorganic bromide per day. Compliance was measured by comparing volume of solution returned at next visit to the number of doses theoretically taken based on the daily dosage.

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety

The primary objective efficacy variable was the percent improvement in Seborrhea Area and Severity Index (SASI) (Table 1). Based on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (first described by Fredriksson (22)), the SASI rates both the degree of involvement and severity for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff on the head as a single number on a scale of 1 to 48. The head is divided into the scalp and facial (including anterior neck and ears) areas that are accorded equal weighting for purposes of the rating formula (as described in Table 1). The criteria for safety of all patients included a satisfactory exam at each five-week visit and satisfactory laboratory results (as compared to baseline lab results) at weeks 10 and 20. In addition, any adverse events were recorded, evaluated with regard to possible connections with the study medication, and treated if necessary.

Statistical Analysis

The difference between the percentage change in SASI from baseline for the two different treatments at weeks 5 and 10 was statistically evaluated using the independent t-test. Since the patients who started on placebo medication in the blinded portion of the study also undertook the active treatment during the open phase of the study, the paired t-test was used to evaluate their paired responses before (Week 10) and after crossover (Weeks 15 and 20) to the active study medication. For safety purposes, shifts in laboratory values from baseline to Weeks 10 and 20 were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. The [X.sup.2] test of significance was used to evaluate differences in frequencies.

 
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    CurtisBarker

    05/13/09 | Report as spam

    RE: Effective treatment of seborrheic dermatitis using a low d ...

    I have had psoriasis for 30+ years. I began to notice 3 years ago that, after playing guitar

    for several hours, my eyes would red up and itch. It got worse as the months went by and

    they soon began to swell and itch like poison ivy burns. It was lasting longer and longer up

    to two weeks to return to normal. I had a patch test and discovered I have become extremely

    allergic to nickel after years of regular contact. My doctor told me a slight nickel allergy

    can advance to extreme with more and more nickel contact. I changed all frets, strings and

    other hardware to from nickel to stainless steel on all my guitars. I can now play a full

    show with no ill effects from nickel. As a side benefit about six months after the the

    changes to my guitars my psoriasis is now clear.
    I found out there is allot of nickel in this world. My office chair, belt buckle, snaps on

    jeans, some door handles, tools, fixtures, glasses, dirt, golf club shafts, key rings,

    jewelry, lots of musical instruments, and many many other things. This substance should be

    outlawed. If you have psoriasis it may be a nickel/bronze allergy. My psoriasis generally

    covered my elbows, knees, and torso and was never gone until now.

    Age Event
    @10.Play guitar sometimes
    @15.Began cleaning golf clubs for my dad and his friends.
    @18.Diagnosed with psoriasis
    @19.Started playing guitar and golfing weekly
    @45.Noticed fingers itch after a gig
    @46.Noticed fingers itch and peal after a gig right wrist itch also
    @48.Eyelids slight burn and itch during a gig
    @50.Eyes swell and itch uncontrollably (discovered nickel allergy)
    Changed guitar strings and hardware and can now play.
    Avoid nickel (not a easy task) it's everywhere.
    @51.psoriasis gone for the 1st time since age 18!
    @53.Telling Somebody!

    I still come in contact with nickel once in a while and my eyes will swell and itch for 2 weeks after the contact. It is difficult to avoid nickel.

    I know several guitar players with psoriasis and have informed them of my experience.

    I play guitar for live events and half the stuff on stage is nickel and I must avoid.

    Some buildings have nickel in the air (from HVAC systems I guess) and within ten minutes my eyelids will begin to burn. I have to leave the building and wash my hands and face.

    Guitar Center is one of these buildings. When I go there I must make a plan to get in and out fast.

    I use D'Addario XLS and XL Prosteels and Ernie Ball Stainless Steel strings for electric. They take some getting use to as far as eq-ing for tone. They sound best on my fender twin, HRD, and Mesa mark III simul class and not so good on my SS amps. I use to use GHS Boomers nickel coated and those strings are pure poison to me now. I use martin silk and steel for my acoustics. They always sound old and like they need to be changed. I had to paint the latches on my guitar cases. I had to change from switchcraft to neutrik ends. Had to change frets to stainless steel. I had to change tuning keys on one of my guitars. I put a piece of electrical tape on my bridge where my right wrist rest while playing. I had to switch to graphite shafts on all my golf clubs. I no longer shake hands with other guitar/bass players. I now, never let anyone play my guitars or carry my equipment. I never touch the guitars,amps,cables,tuners,ect.. of others. The guys in my band have seen me with my red swollen shut watering eyes and understand.
    It's my understanding that Elixir strings are coated "nickel wound" strings and the coating wears off exposing you to nickel.



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