Antimicrobial silk clothing in the treatment of atopic dermatitis proves comparable to topical corticosteroid treatment.
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is aggravated by mechanical irritation and bacterial colonization.


OBJECTIVE
This study compared the efficacy of an antimicrobial silk fabric (DermaSilk) with that of a topical corticosteroid in the treatment of AD.


METHODS
Fifteen children were enrolled and wore a dress, where the left side was made of DermaSilk and the right side was made of cotton. The right arm and leg were treated daily with the corticosteroid mometasone for 7 days. The treatment efficacy was measured with a modified EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index) and with an assessment by the patients/parents and by a physician. All patients were evaluated at baseline, as well as 7 and 21 days after the initial examination.


RESULTS
All parameters showed that, irrespective of the treatment, there was a significant decrease of eczema after 7 days. No significant difference between DermaSilk-treated and corticosteroid-treated skin could be observed.


CONCLUSIONS
DermaSilk showed potential to become an effective treatment of AD.
Senti
G
G
Unit for Experimental Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. gabriela.senti@usz.ch
Steinmann
L S
LS
Fischer
B
B
Kurmann
R
R
Storni
T
T
Johansen
P
P
Schmid-Grendelmeier
P
P
Wuthrich
B
B
Kundig
T M
TM
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003020:Clothing; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D011244:Pregnadienediols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D047011:Silk; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011244:Pregnadienediols; D047011:Silk; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate