|
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
Medknow Publications on behalf of The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL)
ISSN: 0378-6323 EISSN: 0973-3922
Vol. 69, Num. 5, 2003, pp. 357-358
|
Untitled Document
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerelogy & Leprology, Vol 69, No.
5 ,Sept-Oct, 2003, pp. 357-358
Dispensing Pearl
Castellani's paint
Manish K. Shah
Hon Dermatologist, Bhatia General Hospital, Tardeo, Mumbai - 400007, India.
Address for correspondence: Manish K. Shah, Hon Dermatologist,
Bhatia General Hospital, Tardeo, Mumbai - 400007, India.
E-mail: appletrue@hotmail.com
Code Number: dv03061
Castellani's paint was perfected in 1905 by Aldo Castellani
(1878-1971), an Italian physician and a specialist in tropical diseases. Castellani's
paint is an excellent preparation for tinea cruris and moniliasis of intertriginous
areas.1 It is effective in pustular dermatoses of the hands and
feet,2 and has also been recommended for pruritus ani and pruritus
vulvae.3 Colorless Castellani's paint may be used to reduce secondary
bacterial contamination in onycholysis and in chronic paronychia.4
Castellani's paint5
Basic
fuchsin 0.3
Ethyl alcohol 95% 10.0
Boric acid 1.0
Phenol liquef. 4.0
Acetone 5.0
Resorcinol
10.0
Water to 100.0
Sig: Apply to affected areas at night with a cotton-tipped applicator
daily at night. Then dry and dust with talc.
A colorless variety
exists that is
cosmetically more acceptable
and less irritating, but purportedly less effective:
Alcohol
90%
8.5%
Boric acid 0.8%
Phenol 4.0%
Acetone 4.0%
Resorcinol 8.0%
Water
to 100.0%
Role of the ingredients
Magenta or basic fuchsin:6 Basic
fuchsin is a dark purple liquid that appears red on the skin and can stain.
It has local anesthetic, bactericidal (Gram positive) and fungicidal properties.
It has also been reported to stimulate granulation tissue and epithelialization.
Ethyl alcohol: This has been used in Castellani's paint for its cooling
properties.
Boric acid: Boric acid presumably has been included for
antiseptic properties. It is rarely used topically nowadays because it
is toxic when absorbed.
Phenol: Phenol
is basically a caustic agent, which at lower concentrations inhibits
nerve endings, acting as an anti-pruritic. However, high concentrations over
large areas on the body can be toxic, particularly for the kidneys.
Acetone: Acetone
is a solvent with cooling and cleansing properties.
Resorcinol: Resorcinol
is an important constituent of Castellani's paint. It has anti-pruritic,
keratolytic, anti-mycotic and anti-eczematous properties.
Precautions
Initial
irritation or stinging may occur, and can be circumvented by
using half-strength Castellani's
paint for the first few times. Castellani's paint is preferably avoided
in infants and children because of the potential for percutaneous absorption
of phenol.7 Rarely, allergic eczematous contact dermatitis to resorcinol
in Castellani's paint used to mark radiotherapy ports has been reported.8 Patients
need to be warned regarding the staining of the clothes with Castellani's paint.
Castellani's
paint in contemporary practice
Castellani's paint dramatically improves
inflamed tinea cruris and intertrigo of the groins, particularly in patients
with a history of long-term topical steroid application. Applying Castellani's
paint is an effective way to dry oozing lesions, particularly in the groins
and the toe webs.9
References
- Litt JZ. Alternative topical therapy. Dermatol Clin 1989;7:43-52.
- Rees RB. A compilation of alternative therapies. Dermatol Clin 1989;7:53-62.
- Griffiths WAD, Wilkinson JD. Topical therapy. In: Champion RH, Burton
JL, Burns DA, Breathnach SM, editors. Rook/Wilkinson/Ebling Textbook
of Dermatology. Oxford: Blackwell Science; 1998.
- Domonkos AN, Arnold HL Jr, Odom RB. Andrews'
Diseases of the skin. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company; 1982.
- Arndt KA,
Bowers KE. Manual of dermatologic therapeutics. Philadelphia: Lippincott,
Williams & Wilkins;
2002.
- Rogers SC, Burrows D, Neill D. Percutaneous absorption of phenol
and methyl alcohol in Magenta paint BPC. Br J Dermatol 1978;98:559-60.
- Marks JG Jr, West GW. Allergic eczematous contact dermatitis to radiotherapy
dye.
Contact Dermatitis 1978;4:1-2.
- Bielan B. `If it's wet, dry it; if
it's dry,
wet it.' Occup Health Saf 1978;47:23-4.
Copyright 2003 - Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology.
|