Conclusion
A history of safe topical use and no known or reported cases of contact dermatitis, along with its dual effects as moisturizer and antiseptic, opens up more research and clinical possibilities for virgin coconut oil (VCO) and monolaurin. In the laboratory, VCO and monolaurin have also shown antimicrobial effects on fungi[36] and enveloped viruses[37] that (like Staphylococcus aureus) may infect or colonize sites of atopic dermatitis.
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Patients were seen and examined at the two charity clinics of the Skin and Cancer Foundation, Inc., in Pasig, Rizal, and Makati, Rizal, Philippines. The microbiologic testing was done at the microbiology laboratory of the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Pasig, Rizal, Philippines.
Skin Sciences Laboratory, Inc., of Pasig, Rizal, Philippines, provided material support by supplying and packaging virgin coconut oil and virgin olive oil in uniform bottles.
Verme'n M. Verallo-Rowell, MD, VMV Skin Research Centre + Clinics (VSRC), 117 C. Palanca, Legaspi Village, Makati, Rizal, Philippines; E-mail: vmvrmd@gmail.com
Dermatitis. 2008;19(6):308-315. © 2008 American Contact Dermatitis Society
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