Impiego di una lozione a base di clorexidina nel trattamento dell’acne papulo-pustolosa di grado lieve: risultati preliminari [Use of a lotion containing chlorhexidine in the treatment of mild acne: A preliminary report]

The therapeutic approach to mild acne consists of several topic treatments (retinoids, antibiotics, benzoylperoxide), that may be used alone or in combination. At the Dermatologic Clinic of the University of Catania, a study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a lotion containing chlorhexidine digluconate 4%, dibenzofurandione and Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil has been performed. The study was carried out on 30 patients (14 M/16 F), of age between 11 and 30 years (average age 20 years), affected by mild acne (papular/pustular with few elements). Inclusion criteria were the presence of at least 8 inflammatory lesions at baseline (papules and/or pustules), with 11 as average number of lesions (range 8-14); all patients did undergo a wash-out from previous systemic and topic therapy. The results, evaluated by considering the percentage of reduction of the number of inflammatory lesions at the end of a 4 weeks period, were classified as follows: excellent (reduction of the lesions up to 80%), good (between 50-80%), discrete (between 30-50%), mild (less than 30%). The lotion, applied twice a day, gave an excellent response in 22 patients (74%) after 4 weeks, in the absence of side effects. Among the remaining 8 patients, 7 (23%) had a discrete improvement, while 1 (3%) did not show any response. Our clinic results, to be considered as preliminary, suggest that the lotion, for its prompt and satisfying therapeutic action along with an optimal tolerability, may represent a promising therapeutic option for mild inflammatory acne.