Effectiveness of dimeticone oils versus sodium carbonate solution in the treatment of tungiasis in Kenya: a non-inferiority randomised trial

TL;DR

A study in Kenya compared two treatments for tungiasis, a skin disease caused by fleas, finding that a traditional sodium carbonate solution was less effective than the recommended dimeticone oil.

Contribution

This study provides the first non-inferiority randomized trial comparing sodium carbonate and dimeticone for tungiasis treatment in Kenya.

Findings

On day 11, 88% of fleas were dead with NYDA® treatment versus 77% with sodium carbonate.

Sodium carbonate did not meet the non-inferiority margin compared to NYDA®.

No significant differences were observed in inflammation or symptoms between the two treatments.

Abstract

Tungiasis is a cutaneous parasitic disease caused by the female flea Tunga penetrans. The World Health Organization recommends two-component dimeticone (NYDA®) as the sole treatment for tungiasis; however, this topical medication is not available in Kenya. In western Kenya, sodium carbonate has been adopted as a traditional village-based treatment. A pilot study found that the proportion of dead fleas on day 7 was higher with NYDA® treatment than that with 5% sodium carbonate treatment (87% vs. 64%, respectively). This study was aimed at assessing the 11-day cure rates of tungiasis by comparing the efficacy of sodium carbonate and NYDA® treatments in Vihiga County, Kenya.

A randomised, observer-blinded, non-inferiority trial was conducted, with the non-inferiority margin set at 10%. A total of 160 eligible children with 941 flea infections were matched and randomised. The number of lesions per child per foot ranged from 1 to 10, with a median of 5 lesions. Each participant received both treatments, with one treatment applied to each foot. Health conditions, including inflammation scores and adverse events, were recorded. Observations were recorded on days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 using a digital microscope to determine flea viability.

Data from 157 children aged 4–15 years were analysed, comprising a total of 843 lesions. On day 11, the proportion of dead fleas was 88% for NYDA® and 77% for 5% sodium carbonate solution (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in inflammation scores or symptoms such as pain and itchiness between the two treatments.

This study demonstrated that 5% sodium carbonate did not meet the non-inferiority margin compared with NYDA® in treating tungiasis. Nevertheless, in settings where NYDA® is not accessible, it may still be considered an alternative.

Trial registration This study was registered with UMIN-CTR (Trial ID: UMIN000044320; reception desk number: R000050621) on 28 May 2021.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41182-026-00909-7.

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