Effects of topical medications on the human skin microbiome
Official title: Alterations in the Human Microbiome With Commonly Used Topical Medications
Run by University of California, Davis · NCT03437005 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how two common skin treatments, ketoconazole cream and desonide ointment, affect the balance of bacteria on the skin in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, Davis Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sacramento, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 28, 2013 |
| Main results expected | September 28, 2026 |
| Study ends | September 28, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | February 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT03437005 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adults aged 18 and older without chronic skin diseases.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with known chronic inflammatory skin conditions or those who have recently used antibiotics may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates how commonly used topical medications, specifically ketoconazole cream and desonide ointment, alter the human skin microbiome over a short-term period. By utilizing modern molecular techniques, the research aims to characterize the diversity of skin microbiota and understand its implications for skin health. The study focuses on healthy adults, examining the microbiome changes in response to these topical treatments. The findings could provide insights into the balance between skin health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of how topical medications affect skin microbiome health, potentially leading to improved treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of the skin microbiome is a growing field, this specific approach to studying the effects of topical medications is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
The inclusion criteria: • Adults at least 18 years of age. The exclusion criteria: * Individuals with known chronically active skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, other autoimmune and inflammatory skin conditions. * Patients with a history of skin cancer, multiple nevi, or other isolated lesions will not be excluded. * Individuals who have used topical, intravenous, intramuscular, or oral antibiotics within the last 6 months * Individuals with known allergies to any of the study medications. * Individuals younger than 18 years of age. * Adults unable to consent * Non-English speaking individuals. Given the complexity in the instructions that subjects will need to follow for proper sample collection, we will not seek to recruit non-English speaking individuals for this pilot study. * Prisoners
Where it's running
-
University of California, Davis, Department of Dermatology
Sacramento, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Emanual Maverakis, MD — UC Davis
- Study coordinator: Emanual Maverakis, MD
- Email: emaverakis@ucdavis.edu
- Phone: 916-734-8254
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.