A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of an Aloe vera (A-barbadensis) emulsion in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis

Various Aloe vera extracts are widely used in a variety of over-the-counter skin products, but only a few studies have been conducted to provide suppo rt for the use of Aloe vera (A, barbadensis), one of the most commonly used species of Aloe vera, in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. Se borrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disorder for which availa ble topical treatment may be helpful but not curative. The objective of thi s study was to evaluate the effect of an emulsion formulated from a crude e xtract of Aloe vera (A. barbadensis) on seborrheic dermatitis. A double-bli nd, randomized, placebo-controlled prospective clinical trial was performed in 44 adult patients with seborrheic dermatitis. A comparison of symptom s cores in the Aloe vera (A, barbadensis) and placebo groups, before and afte r treatment revealed a significant decrease in scaliness, pruritus and the number of sites involved in seborrheic dermatitis, but not in erythema, Glo bal improvement rates in patients treated with Aloe vera (A, barbadensis) w ere significantly higher than in placebo-treated patients, as assessed by b oth dermatologists (58% and 15%, respectively; P = 0.009) and patients (62% and 25%, respectively; P = 0.03), The results of the present study indicat e that Aloe vera (A, barbadensis) crude extract emulsion is effective in th e therapy of patients with seborrheic dermatitis.