title: The effect of two skin cleansing systems on moderate xerotic eczema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Moderate xerotic eczema, characterized by stratum corneum desquamation, erythema, and pruritus is a common condition that can be induced or worsened by skin cleansing. Traditional dermatologic therapy includes the use of emollients, medium or high potency topical corticosteroids, and a change in bathing habits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of two cleansing systems: a synthetic detergent bar soap applied with a cotton washcloth and a petrolatum-delivering body wash applied with a polyethylene puff as part of a topical treatment approach to moderate xerotic eczema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients with moderate xerotic eczema were enrolled in a 4-week investigator-blinded study. Half were randomly treated with a strong topical corticosteroid cream (0.05% fluocinonide) and a traditional cleansing system consisting of a synthetic detergent bar soap applied with a washcloth. The remaining patients were treated with a weaker, medium strength topical corticosteroid cream (0.1% triamcinolone acetonide) and a novel cleansing system consisting of a petrolatum-delivering body wash applied with a polyethylene puff. Dermatologist investigator evaluations and patient self-assessments were conducted at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients using the novel petrolatum-delivering body wash and polyethylene puff cleansing system and the lower potency corticosteroid cream demonstrated significantly greater clinical improvement than those patients using the traditional cleansing system of a synthetic detergent beauty bar and washcloth system and the higher potency corticosteroid cream after both 2 and 4 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cleansing system of a petrolatum-delivering body wash delivered by a polyethylene puff may be useful as a cleanser for patients with moderate xerotic eczema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. zdraelos@northstate.net
authors.forename: Zoe Diana
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Draelos
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ertel
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rains
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005447:Fluocinonide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods; D012915:Soaps / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D012915:Soaps; D005447:Fluocinonide; D010577:Petrolatum; D020959:Polyethylene; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide