Efficacy of bufexamac cream versus betamethasone valerate cream in contact dermatitis: a double-blind trial

A double-blind controlled study was carried out in 72 patients with atopic or contact dermatitis, who were randomly allocated to receive treatment with either 5% bufexamac, 0.1% betamethasone valerate or placebo creams. Patients applied the cream twice daily for 2 weeks. Assessments of the degree of severity of inflammation, induration, lichenification, crusts, scaling, and pruritus were made before and after treatment. The results showed that both active preparations were equally effective in improving the skin condition in the majority of the patients. In younger patients, however, the improvement with betamethasone valerate appeared to be somewhat better than that with bufexamac, particularly in relation to pruritus.