Efficacy and safety of a low-molecular weight hyaluronic Acid topical gel in the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE Hyaluronic acid sodium salt gel 0.2% is a topical device effective in reducing skin inflammation. Facial seborrheic dermatitis, characterized by erythema and or flaking/scaling in areas of high sebaceous activity, affects up to five percent of the United States population. Despite ongoing studies, the cause of the condition is yet unknown, but has been associated with yeast colonization and resultant immune-derived inflammation. First-line management typically is with topical steroids as well as the immunosuppressant agents pimecrolimus and tacrolimus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a topical anti-inflammatory containing low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid. DESIGN AND SETTING Prospective, observational, non-blinded safety and efficacy study in an outpatient setting. PARTICIPANTS Individuals 18 to 75 years of age with facial seborrheic dermatitis. MEASUREMENTS Outcome measures included scale, erythema, pruritus, and the provider global assessment, which were all measured on a five-point scale. Subjects were assessed at Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, and Week 8. RESULTS Interim data for 7 of 15 subjects are presented. Hyaluronic acid sodium salt gel 0.2% was shown through visual grading assessments to improve the provider global assessment by 47.62 percent from Baseline to Week 4. Reductions in scale, erythema, and pruritus were 66.67, 50, and 60 percent, respectively at Week 4. At Week 8, the provider global assessment was improved from baseline in 100 percent of subjects. CONCLUSION Treatment with topical low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid resulted in improvement in the measured endpoints. Topical low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid is another option that may be considered for the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis in the adult population. Compliance and tolerance were excellent.