The application of repeated whole-body cryotherapy in atopic dermatitis and its impact on Staphylococcus aureus colonization — pilot study
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Abstract
Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus can directly penetrate the stratum corneum and epidermis, which explains why this microorganism can disrupt the immune homeostasis of the skin and potentially influence skin diseases. Whole-body cryotherapy (W-BC) is one of the methods used in cryotherapy. It is well known that exposure to extremely low temperatures in the human body induces metabolic, hormonal, and thermoregulatory reactions. The study aimed to investigate whether repeated whole-body cryotherapy treatments would have an impact on the colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD).
Methods: Fourteen adults with a mean age of 32 ± 10.8 and mild to moderate AD (mean of SCORAD index 36.5 points) were enrolled in the study. Whole-body cryotherapy comprised a total of 15 treatments, once a day.
Results: In the following research, it has been observed that whole-body cryotherapy treatments have an impact on the colonization of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin of patients with AD. It would be beneficial to include a larger sample size of AD patients, including both those receiving W-BC treatments and those who do not.
Conclusions: Based on the following research, W-BC can be considered an effective adjunctive method in the treatment of AD.
Keywords: body coolingcryotherapyswabsStaphylococcus aureusatopic dermatitis
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