Treatment of atopic eczema in children: clinical trial of 10% sodium cromoglycate ointment.

In a double-blind randomised group-comparative trial 21 children with chronic atopic eczema were treated twice daily for up to 12 weeks with an ointment containing 10% sodium cromoglycate (SCG) in white soft paraffin. A similar group of 21 children was treated for up to 12 weeks with a placebo ointment consisting of the white soft-paraffin base only. The number of patients who withdrew from the trial because treatment was ineffective was significantly greater in the placebo group (16) than in the SCG group (four). Comparison between the two groups also showed significant improvement in inflammation, lichenification, and cracking and the symptoms of itching and sleep disturbance among those on SCG treatment. At the end of treatment significantly more patients in the SCG group (16) had benefited from treatment compared with only two patients in the placebo group. No patients experienced side effects. I conclude that SCG ointment may be a safe alternative to topical steroids in the treatment of atopic eczema in children.