Abstract
Fungi including Malassezia furfur and Candida albicans are involved in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD), due to increased sensitivity to these allergens or increased serum immunoglobulin E levels in AD patients. Previously, I reported successful treatment of AD with oral administration of the anti-mycotic agent, itraconazole. Recently, I developed protocols for AD treatment, based on the determined minimum effective dose. Three oral administration regimens with itraconazole were studied: single-phase treatment (regimen 1), 100 mg/day for 1 week with a 3-week rest, repeating; regimen 2, 200 mg/week for 4 weeks, repeating; and dual-phase treatment (regimen 3), 100 mg/day for 1 week (introduction phase) then 200 mg/week (maintenance phase) for 11 weeks. For regimens 1 and 2, each treatment cycle was 4 weeks, and three cycles were undertaken. Each regimen was completed in 12 weeks. All three regimens reduced AD symptoms, regimen 3 being the most effective and efficient therapy as evaluated by overall efficacy and low drop-out rate.