Lithium gluconate in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis: a multicenter, randomised, double-blind study versus placebo.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a frequent and chronic dermatitis of the face for which the 2 main treatments used are topical antifungals and corticosteroids. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of topical lithium gluconate in the treatment of this affection. One hundred and twenty-nine patients with a facial seborrhoeic dermatitis for at least two months and presenting erythema and desquamation of moderate to severe intensity, were randomised to either lithium gluconate ointment dosed at 8% or placebo. The products were applied twice a day for eight weeks. The primary endpoint was to obtain a complete remission. One hundred and twenty-three patients were valid for efficacy analysis. Lithium gluconate ointment was significantly more effective than placebo, with a complete clinical remission after 4 and 8 weeks respectively of 11.3% and 29.1% of the patients in the lithium group, and 5.1% and 3.8% respectively in the placebo group. This study confirms the effectiveness of 8% lithium gluconate ointment in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis.