Homeopathic Treatment of Herpetic Gingivostomatitis in Children: a Prospective Open Label Quasi Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to study the efficacy of a homeopathic remedy (Mercurius solubilis 30C) in the treatment of herpetic gingivostomatitis, the most common specific clinical manifestation of primary herpes simplex infection in childhood. It was designed as an open-label quasi randomized controlled study during October 2011 – December 2012. The study samples were children attending Singburi Hospital who were assigned to be in the intervention group or the control group (30 cases each). Both groups were supportively treated with fluid and analgesic/antipyretic except that oral Mercurius solubilis 30C was added to the interventional group. The clinical outcomes were recorded in both groups; and the data were compared and analyzed using independent T test. It was found that the outcomes were better in the interventional group, which included shorter duration of fever 1.07±0.25 vs. 3.90±1.21 days), shorter duration of difficulties in eating and drinking (1.00±0.00 vs. 3.43±0.86 days) and shorter length of hospital stay (1.90±0.71 vs. 4.67±1.45 days). Thus, Mercurius solubilis 30C is an effective remedy in the treatment of herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.