Pilot Study for the Use of Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic Dermatitis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Healthy subjects 18 years or older with seborrheic dermatitis of the face will be included.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subjects who are taking systemic corticosteroids (at doses of prednisone greater than or equal to 5 mg daily), antibiotics (PO, IM or IV) or using topical anti- fungals, steroids, antibiotics, permethrin, or calcineurin inhibitors within 2 weeks prior to the study will be excluded.
- The exclusion criteria will also include the presence of other untreated inflammatory conditions (such as lupus, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis) or untreated malignancies on the face (including skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma).
- Any subjects with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any constituent of the study medication or a history of photosensitivity due to conditions such as lupus erythematosus and porphyria will be excluded.
- Subjects who have had photodynamic therapy (PDT) to the face for any reason within the past year will be excluded as well.
- Adults unable to consent, individuals under the age of 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women and prisoners will be excluded from the study.
Sites / Locations
- University of California, Davis
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Application of ALA
No Application of ALA
The treatment will consist of split-face comparisons of no application of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) vs ALA application to either half of the face. Prior to ALA application, the face will be swabbed for microbiome analysis. After the ALA application, the subjects will incubate with the ALA on their face per the standard PDT protocol used at UC Davis Dermatology clinic for facial PDT treatments. The side of the face being treated will remain the same during all treatments.
For the placebo, Demo Levulan Kerastick, which contains no active ingredient and is enclosed in same cardboard sleeve and cap, will be applied to the other side of the face to mimic the surface of the ALA application stick. After the placebo application, the subjects will incubate with the placebo on their face per the standard PDT protocol used at UC Davis Dermatology clinic for facial PDT treatments. The side of the face being treated will remain the same during all treatments.