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Estimating emollient usage in patients with eczema
K L E Hon1, G K Ching, T F Leung
1Department of Paediatrics and School of Pharmacy, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|June 4, 2009
Summary
Liberal use of emollients and cleansers in atopic eczema (AE) management is encouraged, but doesn't significantly alter disease severity or skin barrier function within two weeks. Adequate prescription amounts, estimated by body surface area, are recommended for patients with AE.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Skin Health
- Atopic Eczema Management
Background:
- Atopic eczema (AE) is characterized by reduced skin hydration (SH) and impaired skin barrier function.
- Liberal emollient usage is a key component of AE management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if emollient and cleanser usage correlates with eczema severity, SH, or transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
- To assess if liberal usage impacts disease severity, SH, and TEWL.
Main Methods:
- Studied SH and TEWL on the forearm in 48 AE patients and 19 controls.
- Assessed SCORAD, NESS, CDLQI, and emollient/cleanser usage over 2 weeks.
Main Results:
- AE patients showed higher TEWL and lower SH.
- Emollient usage correlated with eczema severity scores and TEWL.
- Prescribed amounts of 130 g/m²/week for emollient and 136 g/m²/week for cleanser met patient needs, though liberal use did not significantly improve SCORAD or TEWL within 2 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Adequate emollient and cleanser amounts, estimable by body surface area, should be prescribed for AE.
- Liberal use alone may not be sufficient to alter AE severity or TEWL in the short term.
- Additional treatments are likely necessary for effective AE management.
