Efficacy and Safety of Weekend Topical Mild Corticosteroid Therapy for Maintenance of Seborrheic Dermatitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Arm 1 – Intervention Group: Weekend Topical Corticosteroid Brief name: Weekend topical corticosteroid therapy (mometasone furoate 0.1%) Materials: Mometasone furoate 0.1% lotion (International Non-proprietary Name). Participants will be provided with labeled tubes of the lotion and written instructions for application. Procedures/Activities: Participants first undergo a 2-week induction phase using mometasone furoate 0.1% lotion applied twice daily to affected facial and/or scalp area (1-1.5 Finger tip units for face, 3-4 Finger tip units for scalp), along with antifungal shampoo 2 to 3 times weekly ( every 2nd or 3rd day), to achieve remission. the induction phase can be extended from 2 weeks until there is remission. Upon achieving remission, participants enter the maintenance phase, during which they apply mometasone furoate 0.1% lotion twice per day on weekends ( Saturday and Sunday) to previously affected areas (1-1.5 FTUs for face, 3-4 FTUs for scalp) along with using antifungal shampoo 2 to 3 times weekly9 every 2nd or 3rd day). Provider: Self-administered by participants at home, following training and written instructions provided by dermatology clinic staff. Mode of Delivery: Self-application, individually, at home. Schedule and Duration: Maintenance treatment is delivered twice weekly for 12–24 weeks. Participants remain in the study for a minimum of 12 weeks, and up to 24 weeks if remission is sustained and follow-up monitoring is required. Follow-up visits are scheduled every 4 weeks at the dermatology clinic Each application is twice per day on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). Location: Participant’s home; monitored through outpatient dermatology clinics at scheduled follow-up visits (every 4 weeks). Adaptations: No personalization or titration; the same dose and frequency for all participants in the intervention group. Adherence and Fidelity: Assessed through participant self-reporting and tube weight checks at clinic visits. Clinicians will provide reminders and reinforce correct application at each follow-up.