Citriodiol® and Impetigo

The extract of lemon eucalyptus, a common plant, has since the 1970s been used in commercial insect repellent products. Recently, it has been shown that lemon eucalyptus has potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects that should assist in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as impetigo. Our aim is to investigate this further by investigating the safety and efficacy of this product in the treatment of Impetigo. A randomised, double-blinded, three-armed pilot study, involving a total of 30 patients will be recruited from the dermatology outpatient department clinic at Royal North Shore hospital for this study. These patients will be between the ages of 12 months and 12 years with a clinical diagnosis of Impetigo. The three treatment groups will include a 2% or 5% topical p-menthane-3,8-diol (extracted from lemon eucalyptus) and a topical Mupirocin arm, which will be applied topically twice a day till resolution of symptoms. Follow-up will occur weekly until resolution of symptoms, which is expected within 2 weeks. Photographs, disease severity assessment and lesional swabs for culture will be taken at recruitment and as progress.