Safety and Antipruritic Efficacy of a Menthol-Containing Moisturizing Cream

Itch is frequently associated with dermatoses characterized by a defective skin barrier. We formulated an itch-relieving moisturizing cream containing 3% menthol and ceramides. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and antipruritic efficacy of application of this cream in volunteers with and without skin diseases. Volunteers were asked to apply the cream for 1 month on a minimum body surface area of 6%. Safety was assessed by the absence of contact dermatitis or other side effects, using a self-administered questionnaire completed at 5 minutes, 1 week, and 1 month after application. To determine efficacy, volunteers with pruritic dermatoses were asked to grade their average itch intensity at baseline, 1 week, and 1 month after application. Sixty volunteers were recruited, of whom 41 had no skin disease; no adverse events were reported in the latter. Of the 19 volunteers with dermatoses, 18 reportedly had atopic dermatitis. One of the 60 volunteers stopped application due to stinging sensations induced by menthol. Itch scores of volunteers with dermatitis improved from baseline at 1 week (P=.01) and 1 month (P<.01) after application. Application of a 3% menthol-containing moisturizing cream was safe in healthy individuals and participants with dermatitis. In the latter, itch scores were significantly reduced during follow-up.