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Effectiveness of various barrier preparations in preventing and/or ameliorating experimentally produced Toxicodendron
S A Grevelink1, D F Murrell, E A Olsen
1Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Background:
Despite extensive research on hyposensitization and prior application of topical barrier preparations, efforts to prevent Toxicodendron dermatitis have been only minimally successful.
Objective:
Seven different barrier creams were evaluated for topical protection against experimentally produced Toxicodendron dermatitis in a randomized, double-blind study.
Methods:
Twenty patients had the seven barrier creams randomly applied to eight test sites (one untreated area as control) on each forearm before application of the Toxicodendron extract. Development of Toxicodendron dermatitis was followed for 8 days, with measurements of erythema, induration, vesiculation, and global severity taken at each site on days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 after Toxicodendron application.
Results:
The barrier creams Stokogard, Hollister Moisture Barrier, and Hydropel significantly reduced the erythema, induration, and global severity of Toxicodendron dermatitis and did not differ from each other. The percent reductions in global dermatitis severity per day of assessment for the seven barriers in order of effectiveness were as follows: Stokogard, 59%; Hollister Moisture Barrier, 52%; Hydropel, 48%; Ivy Shield, 22%; Shield Skin, 13%; Dermofilm, 13%; and Uniderm, -9%. During the 8-day period, a significantly greater number of test sites pretreated with Stokogard, Hollister Moisture Barrier, and Hydropel were free of dermatitis compared with control sites and sites treated with the other four barriers.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that Stokogard, Hollister Moisture Barrier, and Hydropel are effective in the prevention of Toxicodendron dermatitis.
Insights
Three barrier creams—Stokogard, Hollister Moisture Barrier, and Hydropel—effectively prevented Toxicodendron dermatitis in a clinical trial. These topical preparations significantly reduced allergic contact dermatitis symptoms compared to other tested barriers.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Allergology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Preventing Toxicodendron dermatitis, commonly known as poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash, remains a challenge despite various interventions.
- Previous attempts using hyposensitization and topical barriers have yielded limited success in preventing this allergic contact dermatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of seven different topical barrier creams in preventing experimentally induced Toxicodendron dermatitis.
- To compare the protective effects of these barrier creams against poison ivy, oak, or sumac exposure.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind study involving 20 patients.
- Seven barrier creams were applied to test sites on forearms, with one untreated site serving as a control.
- Toxicodendron extract was applied, and dermatitis development was monitored for 8 days, measuring erythema, induration, and vesiculation.
Main Results:
- Stokogard, Hollister Moisture Barrier, and Hydropel significantly reduced the severity of Toxicodendron dermatitis, including erythema, induration, and global symptoms.
- These three creams demonstrated comparable effectiveness and were superior to the other four tested barriers and the untreated control.
- A higher percentage of skin sites treated with Stokogard, Hollister Moisture Barrier, and Hydropel remained free of dermatitis.
Conclusions:
- Stokogard, Hollister Moisture Barrier, and Hydropel are effective topical agents for preventing Toxicodendron dermatitis.
- These barrier creams offer a promising solution for individuals exposed to poison ivy, oak, or sumac.
- Further research may explore long-term efficacy and application protocols for these protective barriers.