Improvement of skin barrier function during treatment of atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

Active dermatitis causes a disturbance in skin barrier function. This can be evaluated by the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone.

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to evaluate changes in skin barrier function during treatment of atopic dermatitis.

METHODS

Nine patients with widespread atopic dermatitis were studied longitudinally by measuring the severity of the dermatitis and TEWL at intervals of 1 to 3 days. Percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone was measured at entry and during treatment.

RESULTS

At entry, both TEWL and percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone were elevated. Four to six days later, a significant decline was observed in both variables, indicating rapid improvement in skin barrier function. Individual changes in TEWL correlated with the changes in the systemic absorption of hydrocortisone.

CONCLUSION

TEWL reflects changes in the systemic absorption of topical hydrocortisone during treatment of atopic dermatitis.