Ann Dermatol.  2016 Oct;28(5):593-599. 10.5021/ad.2016.28.5.593.

Effects of Emollient Containing Bee Venom on Atopic Dermatitis: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Base-Controlled, Multicenter Study of 136 Patients

• You CE
• Moon SH
• Lee KH
• Kim KH
• Park CW
• Seo SJ
• Cho SH

• KMID: 2382884
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2016.28.5.593

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, complex disease that follows a chronic relapsing course and significantly affects the quality of life of patients. Skin barrier dysfunction and inflammatory processes induce and aggravate this skin condition. Proper use of an emollient for hydration is a keystone of AD treatment. Bee venom is known to have anti-inflammatory effects and has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat various inflammatory disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To find out the beneficial effect of an emollient containing bee venom in the treatment of patients with AD.
METHODS
This study included 136 patients with AD who were randomized to receive either an emollient containing bee venom and silk-protein or a vehicle that was identical except for the bee venom for 4 weeks. The patients were instructed to apply the emollient twice daily on their entire body and not to use other medications, including topicals, during the course of the study. The eczema area and severity index (EASI) score, transepidermal water loss, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of itching were evaluated at the first visit and after 2 and 4 weeks. The investigator global assessment was evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks after the application of emollient containing bee venom or vehicle.
RESULTS
Patients applying emollient containing bee venom showed significantly lower EASI score and VAS value compared to patients applying emollient without bee venom.
CONCLUSION
Emollient containing bee venom is a safe and effective option for patients with AD.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Bee venoms; Emollients

MeSH Terms

Bee Venoms*
Bees*
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Eczema
Emollients
Humans
Medicine, Traditional
Pruritus
Quality of Life
Research Personnel
Skin
Water
Bee Venoms
Emollients
Water

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Comparison of the outcomes at visit 2 and visit 3, assessed as change from baseline: (A) The percent decrease in eczema area severity index (EASI) score. (B) The percent decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). (C) Decrease in visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pruritus. *Statistically significant decrease compared to vehicle group.

• 

  Fig. 2 Investigator global assessment (IGA) at (A) visit 2 (2 weeks); (B) visit 3 (4 weeks).

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