The comparative toxic effects of proprietary antidandruff, adult and baby shampoos on rabbit ileum

Each of four antidandruff shampoos, containing zinc pyrithione, was statistically significantly more potent at blocking spontaneous contractions of rabbit isolated ileum than was any of four adult shampoos which in turn were each significantly more potent that any of four baby shampoos tested. The ileum model therefore appears to be sufficiently sensitive to distinguish between antidandruff, adult and baby shampoos. It is suggested that if those who carry out in vivo eye irritancy testing also test their products on the ileum model then, over a period of time, this in vitro test might be proved to be a viable alternative to many of the in vivo tests currently carried out.

Scaling scalp diseases in children

Scaling scalp diseases in 142 children were evaluated. Included were seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, tinea capitis, and psoriasis. Clinical signs were noted, and various treatments were then undertaken. Patients with seborrheic dermatitis responded well to treatment with antiseborrheic shampoo and topical corticosteroids. Atopic disease was more resistant to treatment, but did improve with less frequent shampooing and twice daily topical corticosteroid application. Selenium shampoo was a useful adjunct in the treatment of tinea capitis (cultures became negative at two weeks compared to persistent positivity in other treatment groups).

Management of the ear canal seborrhea with cerumen

For the past 20 years, the author has been treating recurrent chronic seborrheic dermatitis with a suspension of human cerumen in glycerine. The cerumen is obtained from healthy children and young adults in which there is an over-production which requires removal. If the cerumen contains debris it is not used. The collected cerumen is suspended in 50% glycerine and left for several weeks to sterilize. It is then strained through a fine filter having been heated so that its is workable. The material is dispensed to the patient in a small dropper bottle and the patient is instructed to place two drops in the external ear canal once a week. The chronicity of seborrheic dermatitis must be explained carefully to the patient and the necessity for avoiding water, cosmetics and other materials must be stressed. The patient must be made aware that the cause of the condition is unknown and that periodic inspection of the ear canal is necessary in addition to the topical application of the cerumen suspension.

[Therapeutic aspects of seborrhea oleosa and pityriasis simplex capillitii]

The treatment of seborrhoea oleosa capillitii should aim at inhibiting depletion of the sebaceous glands, lipid synthesis in the sebaceous gland and microbial lipolysis of the triglycerides in the scalp and hair lipids. The use of isopropyl alcohol as a vehicle in a hair tonic reduces sebum depletion. Coal tar and estrogens reduce the lipid synthesis in the sebaceous gland. The lipolysis can be inhibited by various surfactants, isopropyl alcohol, colloidal sulphur, selenium disulphide, Omadine MDS and benzoyl peroxide. In the treatment of pityriasis simplex capillitii (dandruff) one aims at achieving inhibition of mitosis in the epidermis and, if possible, an additional "keratolytic" effect. Inhibition of mitosis could be demonstrated for coal tar, corticosteroids, selenium disulphide, cadmium sulphide, Omadine MDS, Zn Omadine and ichthyol sodium. Colloidal sulphur, salicylic acid, Omadine MDS and various surfactants act "keratolytically".

Symposium. ENT for nonspecialists. External otitis

Simple treatment usually suffices for the control of acute external otitis, This consists of meticulous cleaning of the ear canal and application of antibiotic-corticosteroid drops. Good local care of the ear can prevent both the chronic and the acute forms of external otitis. Malignant external otitis is an uncommon but lethal type that most often accompanies diabetes. If this condition is diagnosed, hospitalization and aggressive treatment are then a necessity.