Failure of pentoxifylline to affect air- borne contact dermatitis caused by parthenium

Abstract

Twelve patients, 9 males and 3 females between 22 to 65 years in age having air-borne contact dermatitis (ABCD) for 6 months to 12 years were included in this study. The diagnosis in each patient was confirmed by patch tests. Six of these patients (group I) were treated with pentoxifylline 400 mg three times a day orally in addition to topical clobetasol propionate and oral betamethasone 1.0 to 2.0 mg per day for 5 to 10 weeks. The other 6 patients (group II) were given the same treatment for the same duration but without pentoxifylline. The response to the treatment in both the groups was almost the same. The patients treated with pentoxifylline did not have any added benefit. There were no significant side effects of the therapy in either of the groups.