Clinical and instrumental evaluation of the efficacy of an emollient cream and a cleansing cream in the management of mild to moderate adulthood atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disorder which may persist or directly start in adults. This is an open-label prospective study to clinically and instrumentally evaluate the effects of an emollient glycerin and paraffin-based cream and a gentle refatting cleanser in the management of mild to moderate adulthood AD.

METHODS: Fifty adult patient with mild to moderate AD were recruited at the Professional Dermatology and Allergology Outpatient Clinic of the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute of Rome, between November 2016 and January 2018. The patients applied the emollient cream twice daily for 2 months. To assess the efficacy of the cream, two different areas of treatment were identified in each patient's limbs. The outcome was evaluated at 30 days (T1) and 60 days (T2) of treatment comparing to baseline (T0) by means of clinical evaluation, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionary, transepidermal waterloss (TEWL) and corneometry measurements.

RESULTS: Clinical evaluation showed significative improvement of skin xerosis, fissuring, itching and erythema. Consistently, a significative reduction of TEWL and an improvement in skin hydration was also detected. A significative improvement of DLQI score was also detected.

CONCLUSIONS: Study treatment was well tolerated and showed significative improvement of clinical and instrumental parameters evaluated. The topical daily use of an emollient glycerin and paraffin-based cream and a gentle refatting cleanser seems to be a useful tool in the treatment of mild to moderate adulthood AD improving quality of life.