Black tea compresses in Eczema

Facial dermatitis is challenging to treat due to the delicate nature of facial skin, and conventional therapies like corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors have notable drawbacks, including skin atrophy, high costs, and irritation. Black tea, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, has been traditionally used by German-speaking dermatologists for this condition, though formal studies were lacking. A 2019 study from the University of Lübeck investigated black tea dressings in 22 patients with facial dermatitis, showing a significant reduction in disease severity within three days, with continued improvement through day six and no major side effects. The treatment involved applying gauze compresses soaked in a cooled second infusion of black tea five times daily, followed by an emollient. These promising findings suggest black tea dressings as a safe, cost-effective alternative, warranting further research, which we explored in an interview with Dr. Peter Lio.