The role of thyme in the treatment of pyodermia in newborn infants: A retrospective analysis

Background

A great amount of data on the antimicrobiotic effect of thyme is available. However, there are no clinical trials on the treatment with thyme in newborn infants present.

Method

We analysed the treatment procedures in newborn infants diagnosed with pyodermia in our department between August 2003 and December 2008 retrospectively.

Results

Of the 36 patients 14 fulfilled the study criteria. Ten (71%) of these patients received thyme alone or in combination with a systemic antibiotic or other local form of therapy. Three patients (21%) were treated locally with thyme only. Nine patients (64%) received either a combined systemic antibiotic therapy or systemic antibiotic treatment alone. There were no differences regarding the duration of treatment. Side effects or complications did not occur under either form of therapy.

Discussion and conclusions

Inspite of being a department with focus on complementary and integrative medicine, patients often receive systemic antibiotic treatment. Thyme is an often preferred supplement, sometimes when under clinical control even the alternative treatment.

The amount of data ascertained was not large enough in order to allow making statements on the role of thyme tea as alternative or supplementary treatment, especially not in the sense of making treatment recommendations.

Whether a local treatment with thyme tea might be sufficient for a subgroup of patients would have to be examined prospectively with a larger patient collective. The same accounts for cost efficiency. Our study is the first to examine therapy concepts for the treatment of pyodermia, with a focus on the use of thyme tea in the treatment of newborn infants.

Keywords: Pyodermia, Staphylodermia, CAM, Phytotherapy, Thyme, Neonatology, Newborn

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