title: DermaSilk in long-term control of infantile atopic dermatitis: a double blind randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by severe itching, skin dryness, blistering and remittent-relapse course. The critical feature is a skin barrier dysfunction that leads to epidermal inflammation and to bacterial superinfection. The aim of our study is to assess the usefulness of DermaSilk in reducing dermatitis relapses, in infants affected by atopic dermatitis, previously treated with topical corticosteroid and, if needed, with antibiotics.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a double blind randomized study involving 22 infants, aged 4 to 18 months, affected by atopic dermatitis. Disease severity has been evaluated by the SCORAD Index. To achieve a complete remission, acute phases were managed following international guidelines. Subsequently, infants were randomized to either wear a set of DermaSilk body and tights (group A), or wear clothes in pure cotton (group B) for 24 months with the exception of the warmer months (from mid-May to mid-September).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of topical steroid per month was significantly lower in the DermaSilk group compared to the cotton group (P=0.006). The subjective evaluation reflecting itching reduction was also statistically significant (P=0.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that DermaSilk products can reduce relapses in infants with eczema during the maintenance phase and play a pivotal role in itching control, improving the quality of life of children and their family.
authors.affiliation: University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fontanini
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Berti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Monasta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Longo
mesh_terms: D003020:Clothing; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013997:Time Factors