A double-blind study comparing the effect of glycerin and urea on dry, eczematous skin in atopic patients.
Moisturizing creams have beneficial effects in the treatment of dry, scaly skin, but they may induce adverse skin reactions. In a randomized double-blind study, 197 patients with atopic dermatitis were treated with one of the following: a new moisturizing cream with 20% glycerin, its cream base without glycerin as placebo, or a cream with 4% urea and 4% sodium chloride. The patients were asked to apply the cream at least once daily for 30 days. Adverse skin reactions and changes in skin dryness were assessed by the patient and a dermatologist. Adverse skin reactions such as smarting (a sharp local superficial sensation) were felt significantly less among patients using the 20% glycerin cream compared with the urea-saline cream, because 10% of the patients judged the smarting as severe or moderate when using glycerin cream, whereas 24% did so using urea-saline cream (p < 0.0006). No differences were found regarding skin reactions such as stinging, itching and dryness/irritation. The study showed equal effects on skin dryness as judged by the patients and the dermatologist. In conclusion, a glycerin containing cream appears to be a suitable alternative to urea/sodium chloride in the treatment of atopic dry skin.
Lodén
Marie
M
ACO Hud AB, Stockholm, Sweden. marie.loden@acohud.se
Andersson
Anna-Carin
AC
Anderson
Chris
C
Bergbrant
Ing-Marie
IM
Frödin
Thomas
T
Ohman
Hans
H
Sandström
Mari-Helen
MH
Särnhult
Tore
T
Voog
Ewa
E
Stenberg
Berndt
B
Pawlik
Eva
E
Preisler-Häggqvist
Anna
A
Svensson
Ake
A
Lindberg
Magnus
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004485:Eczema / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014508:Urea / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009824:Ointments; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014508:Urea; D005990:Glycerol