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Evidence summaries

Selenium Sulphide Shampoo in the Treatment of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Selenium sulphide shampoo appears to be effective in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis. Level of evidence: "B"

A topic in Clinical Evidence 1 summarizes the results of one RCT (n=246) that compared selenium sulphide shampoo, ketokonazole 2% shampoo and placebo. There was a significantly greater reduction in mean adherent dandruff scores (percentage reduction 66.7% with selenium, 44.5% with placebo). Significantly more people responded (global improvement): AR for responding 54.7% with selenium, 28.6% with placebo, p=0.004).

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by sparse data.

    References

    • Gee BC. What are the effects of topical treatments for seborrhoic dermatitis of the scalp in adults? Seborrhoic dermatitis. Clinical Evidence 2005;13:2134-2141.

Primary/Secondary Keywords