Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T03:47:02.808Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Therapeutic effect of Castellani's paint in patients with an itchy ear canal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2016

S Turkoglu Babakurban*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey
O Topal
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Konya, Turkey
E Aydin
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey
E Hizal
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey
S Copur
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey
M Demirbilek Ekici
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Seda Turkoglu Babakurban, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, M. Fevzi Cakmak Caddesi, 5. Sokak, No: 48, 06490 Bahcelievler-Ankara, Turkey Fax: +90 312 215 75 97 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective:

To examine the effects of Castellani's paint on symptomatic relief and skin flora in patients with an itchy external ear canal.

Methods:

Subjective pruritus scores, and erythema and desquamation scores, were noted in 61 patients with an itchy external ear canal. External ear canal skin swabs were taken for bacterial and fungal cultures. Patients were then randomly divided into three groups: either Castellani's paint (group one) or steroid ear drops (group two) were instilled, or non-impacted cerumen was removed (group three). Patients were re-assessed at one month after the initial visit.

Results:

After treatment, subjective pruritus scores were significantly lower in all groups, erythema scores were significantly decreased in group one, and desquamation scores were significantly reduced in groups one and two, when compared with pre-treatment scores. Reproduction density of bacteria including normal flora was decreased in group one. However, the types of bacteria that constitute the normal flora of the external ear canal were unchanged.

Conclusion:

Castellani's paint can be administered safely, effectively and easily, without affecting the type of external ear canal skin bacteria, in patients with an itchy external ear canal.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Presented orally at the 37th Turkish National Congress of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, 28 October – 1 November 2015, Antalya, Turkey.

References

1 Djalilian, HR, Memar, O. Topical pimecrolimus 1% for the treatment of pruritic external auditory canals. Laryngoscope 2006;116:1809–12Google Scholar
2 Acar, B, Simsek, GG, Oguztuzun, S, Zaim, M, Karasen, RM. Isolated itching of external auditory canal: clinicopathological study with immunohistochemical determination of antimicrobial peptides. J Laryngol Otol 2011;125:227–30Google Scholar
3 Tuzuner, A, Akdagli, S, Sen, T, Demirci, S, Tarimci, N, Caylan, R. An objective analysis of sebum, pH and moisture levels of the external ear canal skin. Am J Otolaryngol 2015;36:424–8Google Scholar
4 Karakuş, MF, Arda, HN, Ikincioğullari, A, Gedikli, Y, Coşkun, S, Balaban, N et al. Microbiology of the external auditory canal in patients with asteatosis and itching [in Turkish]. Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg 2003;11:33–8Google Scholar
5 Seftel, DM. Itching in the ear canal due to hypocerumenosis. An effective method of treatment. Calif Med 1963;98:151–2Google Scholar
6 Caffier, PP, Harth, W, Mayelzadeh, B, Haupt, H, Sedlmaier, B. Tacrolimus: a new option in therapy-resistant chronic external otitis. Laryngoscope 2007;117:1046–52Google Scholar
7 Shah, MK. Castellani's paint. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2003;69:357–8Google Scholar
8 Gultekin, E, Yener, M, Ozdemir, I. The effect of topical Castellani solution on outer hair cell function of rats. Laryngoscope 2010;120:808–12Google Scholar
9 King, WP. Allergic disorders in the otolaryngologic practice. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1985;18:677–90Google Scholar
10 Acar, B, Karadag, AS, Karabulut, H, Babademez, MA, Zaim, M, Karasen, RM. Evaluation of contact sensitivity in patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;40:187–90Google Scholar
11 Li, LY, Cruz, PD Jr. Allergic contact dermatitis: pathophysiology applied to future therapy. Dermatol Ther 2004;17:219–23Google Scholar
12 Kolbe, L, Kligman, AM, Schreiner, V, Stoudemayer, T. Corticosteroid-induced atrophy and barrier impairment measured by non-invasive methods in human skin. Skin Res Technol 2001;7:73–7Google Scholar
13 Meurer, M, Fartasch, M, Albrecht, G, Vogt, T, Worm, M, Ruzicka, T et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus cream 1% in adults with moderate atopic dermatitis. Dermatology 2004;208:365–72Google Scholar
14 Amrol, D, Keitel, D, Hagaman, D, Murray, J. Topical pimecrolimus in the treatment of human allergic contact dermatitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2003;91:563–6Google Scholar
15 Cevik, C, Kaya, OA, Akbay, E, Yula, E, Yengil, E, Gulmez, MI et al. Investigation of demodex species frequency in patients with a persistent itchy ear canal treated with a local steroid. J Laryngol Otol 2014;128:698701 Google Scholar