title: A randomized comparative trial on the therapeutic efficacy of topical aloe vera and Calendula officinalis on diaper dermatitis in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diaper dermatitis (DD) is a common inflammatory disorder among children and infants. The objective of the present randomized and double-blind trial was to compare the therapeutic efficacies of aloe vera cream and Calendula officinalis ointment on the frequency and severity of DD in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six infants with DD (aged < 3 years) were randomized to receive either aloe cream (n = 32) or Calendula ointment (n = 34). Infants were treated with these drugs 3 times a day for 10 days. The severity of dermatitis was graded at baseline as well as at the end of trial using a 5-point scale. The adverse effects of study medications were assessed during the trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although improvement in the severity of DD was observed in both treatment groups (P < 0.001), patients receiving Calendula ointment had significantly fewer rash sites compared to aloe group (P = 0.001). No adverse effect was reported from either of the medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evidence from this study suggests that topical aloe and in particular Calendula could serve as safe and effective treatment for the treatment of diaper dermatitis in infants.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. yunespanahi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Yunes
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Panahi
authors.forename: Mohamad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beiraghdar
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zahiri
authors.forename: Golnoush
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amirchoopani
authors.forename: Eisa Tahmasbpour
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Marzony
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry*; D020838:Calendula / Q000737:chemistry*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003963:Diaper Rash / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004655:Emulsions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069463:Olive Oil; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D009824:Ointments; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils