Publication

Abstract : BackgroundMoisturizers are first‐line therapy for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although there are multiple types of moisturizers available, head‐to‐head trials between different moisturizers are limited.ObjectiveTo evaluate if a paraffin‐based moisturizer is as effective as ceramide‐based moisturizer in children with AD.Materials and MethodsIn this double‐blind, randomized comparative trial of pediatric patients with mild to moderate AD, subjects applied either a paraffin‐based or ceramide‐based moisturizer twice daily. Clinical disease activity using SCOring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), quality of life using Children/Infants Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI/IDLQI), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at baseline and at follow‐up at 1, 3, and 6 months.ResultsFifty‐three patients were recruited (27 ceramide group and 26 paraffin group) with a mean age of 8.2 years and mean disease duration of 60 months. The mean change in SCORAD at 3 months in the ceramide‐based and paraffin‐based moisturizer groups was 22.1 and 21.4, respectively (p = .37). The change in CDLQI/IDLQI, TEWL over forearm and back, amount and days of topical corticosteroid required, median time to remission and disease‐free days at 3 months were similar in both groups. As the 95% confidence interval (CI) of mean change in SCORAD at 3 months in both groups (0.78, 95% CI: −7.21 to 7.52) was not within the predefined margin of equivalence (−4 to +4), the conclusion of equivalence could not be proven.ConclusionBoth the paraffin‐based and ceramide‐based moisturizers were comparable in improving the disease activity in children with mild to moderate AD.