Fuchs-Algrim J, Lorenz H, Zimmermann C, Günnewich N, Schwarzensteiner I, Kaiser PM, Tronnier H. Turpentine Ointment in Bacterial Skin Infections: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.
Complement Med Res 2022;
30:56-62. [PMID:
36417842 PMCID:
PMC11078321 DOI:
10.1159/000528220]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Turpentine-containing substances are considered effective in treating cutaneous bacterial infections, but reliable clinical data are scant.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the efficacy and safety of an ointment containing larch turpentine (from Larix decidua), eucalyptus oil (from Eucalyptus globulus), and turpentine oil (from Pinus pinaster) in outpatients with painful skin abscesses in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
INTERVENTION
116 outpatients with skin abscesses used verum or placebo for 10 days. Sum score of the patient's discomforts, changes in abscess size, rate of therapeutic success, and complete healing served as outcome parameters.
RESULTS
Fifty-four patients were treated with verum and 56 with placebo. According to the patient's discomfort sum score, patients in the verum group showed a better improvement compared to the placebo group (7.3 vs. 4.7; p = 0.024), and subjective assessment by the investigators revealed a higher treatment success rate after verum (70% vs. 48%; p = 0.021). Complete healing was documented in 67% of the patients receiving verum versus 46% in the placebo group (p = 0.037). There was a positive trend toward a larger decrease in the abscess sizes in the verum group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.07).
CONCLUSION
The ointment studied is an effective and safe option for the treatment of bacterial skin diseases.
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