Background: Extracts from several citrus plants have antimicrobial properties and have been used for certain infectious skin conditions. Objective: To compare the efficacy of 12.5% pomelo peel ointment and 2% mupirocin ointment in the management of localized impetigo contagiosa. Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Setting: Dermatology Outpatient Clinic in Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City, from September 2012 to November 2012. Participants: 46 male and female patients, aged 2-15 years old, and clinically diagnosed with localized impetigo contagiosa. Interventions : Participants were randomized to receive either 12.5% pomelo peel ointment (PPO) or 2% mupirocin ointment (MO), thinly applied on impetigo lesions twice daily for 7 days. Main outcome measures: Clinical success defined as either ‘complete resolution of lesions’ or ‘dryness of the lesions without crusts, with intact skin, and with no to minimal local erythema’ at any time within 7 days from the start of intervention. Main results: The 23 patients in 12.5% PPO group had similar baseline demographic and clinical characteristics as the 23 patients in the 2% MO group. Within 7 days from the start of intervention, 15 of the 23 patients (65.22%) in the PPO group and 19 of the 23 patients (82.61%) in the MO group had clinical success (p=0.1792). Conclusion Pomelo peel ointment is as efficacious as mupirocin ointment in the management of localized impetigo contagiosa.
Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; Citrus ; Staphylococcus aureus