[Study of tolerance and efficacy of cosmetic preparations with lenitive action in atopic dermatitis in children].

PURPOSE

In AD (atopic dermatitis), the barrier function of skin is impaired, causing dryness and vulnerability: the first-end point to achieve is restoring skin's function to avoid relapses. Our aim was to assess tolerability and effecacy of two cosmetics with moisturizing and lenitive action in subjects affected by AD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used a topical preparation (product A) and a new formulation of it (product B) containing glycyrrhetinic acid, alpha-bisabolol, squalene, oryzanol and hohoba-oil. Product B was then compared with a third one (product C), also based on glycyrrhetinic acid and bisabolol. 30 subjects, aged between 4 months and 16 years, were included in the study (13 girls and 17 boys), suffered from mild-moderate AD, not treated with steroids. Patients were treated twice a day for 21 days, as follows: 12 product A (Decortil lipocrema IDI Farmaceutici); 9 product B (Decortil crema, IDI Farmaceutici); 9 product B on the right and product C (Lichtena AI crema UCB Pharma) on the left. We also did: photografic documentation, SCORAD Index, evaluation of objective (erythema, exudation, excoriation, dryness) and subjective (itching and burning) simptomatology (scoring 0-3) and physiopatological cutaneous tests as TEWL (Trans Epidermal Water Loss), corneometry and pHmetry at beginning and at end of treatment.

RESULTS

All groups improved both clinically and instrumentally. Corneometry increased, TEWL lowed and pH turned to normality.

CONCLUSIONS

Product A is better for restoring cutaneous physiology, B resulted more efficient in rehydration, in acute phase and as emollient agent, whereas C has more lenitive action.