The influence on skin care of the use of emollients for skin lesions during the course of atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background/objective. In this paper, we discuss the principle of skin care with emollients in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Patients and methods. The study included 22 patients with features of atopic skin. The indicator of atopic dermatitis (W-AZS), and the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) indicator were used to measure the condition of the skin, and a questionnaire about methods of care for the skin was evaluated.

Results. The mean value of the W-AZS indicator in patients using emollients was 34.42 ± 20.64, but in the group of respondents who did not use moisturising-greasing preparations it was 75.95 ± 11.58. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.005). Furthermore, respondents who used emollients several times a week showed statistically significantly higher values of W-AZS indicator than respondents who used emollients twice a day or more often. These values of W-AZS were as follows: 65.13 ± 10.72 (SD) for people who used emollients several times a week, 17.13 ± 7.34 in patients who used emollients twice a day, and 8.66 ± 1.26 for patients who used emollients several times a day. The W-AZS indicator values due to frequent use of ‘leave-off’ type of emollients were as follows: 10.75 ± 2.49 (SD) for warm water and 12.05 ± 6.43 for cold water. Respondents who used hot water for their bath (over 38°C) received significantly higher values of W-AZS indicator.

Conclusions. The study showed the significant effects of emollients, with a particular emphasis on frequency of use. It also stressed the importance of water temperature for bathing with emollients. The EASI indicatoris less precise than the W-AZS indicator.