Gentian violet study for painful skin condition pulled before it began

NCT ID NCT04388163

Terminated Symptom relief Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study planned to test whether gentian violet, a common purple antiseptic, could reduce redness, drainage, and pain in people with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Participants would have applied the treatment once and returned a month later to report changes. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolling any volunteers, so no results are available.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: gentian violet (a topical antiseptic)
What this could lead to: If it had worked, this could have pointed toward a simple, low-cost topical option to ease symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.
What could go wrong: The study was withdrawn before enrolling anyone, so we have no data on whether gentian violet helps. Even if tested, results might not apply to all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hidradenitis suppurativa

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Wake Forest School of Medicine

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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