Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and tunnels, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. One of the most distressing symptoms reported by individuals with HS is pruritus (itching), which can range from mild to severe, interfering with daily activities and negatively affecting emotional well-being. The management of pruritus in HS is challenging due to limited treatment options, with traditional therapies often providing inadequate relief and carrying potential side effects. Consequently, there is a need to explore alternative therapeutic approaches to effectively alleviate this debilitating symptom. Strontium cream, traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties in various dermatological conditions, has shown potential in managing pruritus in other inflammatory skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. Given its anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, and analgesic properties, strontium cream was considered a promising therapeutic option to investigate for alleviating pruritus in patients with HS.
Methods
This study was a prospective, open-label, real-world evaluation of the efficacy of strontium cream (Dermeleve™) in alleviating pruritus in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Participants were recruited through HS Connect and instructed to apply the cream multiple times a day as needed to affected areas for one week. Pruritus was assessed using a numeric itch severity scale and a qualitative survey on overall itch reduction before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis compared pre- and post-intervention itch severity scores.
Key Findings
•Statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in itching symptoms post-intervention, with mean itch scores decreasing from 3.80±0.90 at baseline to 2.28±1.50 after one week (p <0.001).
•Seventy-six percent of participants reported an overall decrease in itch after using the strontium cream.
•Eighty-four percent of participants indicated they would recommend strontium cream to other HS patients, suggesting overall satisfaction with the product.
•A stinging sensation upon application was reported by 60 percent of the participants.
This study provides evidence suggesting that strontium cream demonstrates promise as a therapeutic option for managing pruritus in hidradenitis suppurativa. The novelty of this research lies in its evaluation of strontium cream specifically for the often-debilitating pruritus associated with HS, a symptom with limited effective treatments. While the open-label design and reliance on self-reported data represent limitations, the significant reduction in itch severity and the high percentage of participants willing to recommend the cream highlight its potential benefit in real-world settings. Future research, including randomized, controlled trials, is warranted to confirm these findings, further elucidate the mechanisms by which strontium alleviates itching in HS, and solidify its role in the management of this challenging chronic condition.
Link to the study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11932098/
