Effect of topical cromoglycate solution on atopic dermatitis: combined treatment of sodium cromoglycate solution with the oral anti-allergic medication, oxatomide.

The effect of topically applied sodium cromoglycate solution in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in children aged 4-14 years was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized group-comparative trial. One group of patients was treated with topical sodium cromoglycate solution and oral oxatomide whereas the other group was treated with topical placebo solution and oral oxatomide. After 4 weeks, AD improved significantly in the group treated with the sodium cromoglycate solution and oxatomide combination while marginal improvement was noted in the placebo. In addition, spontaneous IgE production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells decreased significantly in the sodium cromoglycate group but not in the placebo group. These results suggest that sodium cromoglycate solution may be very effective in combination with anti-allergic medication in the treatment of moderate to severe AD in children.