Asia Pac Allergy.  2012 Oct;2(4):269-274. 10.5415/apallergy.2012.2.4.269.

Effect of bathing on atopic dermatitis during the summer season

• Kim H
• Ban J
• Park MR
• Kim DS
• Kim HY
• Han Y
• Ahn K
• Kim J

• KMID: 2397444
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2012.2.4.269

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There are little objective data regarding the optimal practice methods of bathing, although bathing and the use of moisturizers are the most important facets to atopic dermatitis (AD) management.
OBJECTIVE
We performed this study to evaluate the effect of bathing on AD.
METHODS
Ninety-six children with AD were enrolled during the summer season. Parents were educated to bathe them once daily with mildly acidic cleansers, and to apply emollients for 14 days. Parents recorded the frequency of bathing and skin symptoms in a diary. Scoring AD (SCORAD) scores were measured at the initial and follow-up visits. Patients were divided into two groups, based on the compliance of bathing; poor compliance was defined as ≥ 2 bathless days.
RESULTS
There was an improvement of SCORAD score, itching, and insomnia in the good compliance group (all p < 0.001). The mean change in SCORAD score from the baseline at the follow-up visit was greater in the good compliance group than the poor compliance group (p = 0.038).
CONCLUSION
Daily bathing using weakly acidic syndets can reduce skin symptoms of pediatric AD during the summer season.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Child; Education; Skin care

MeSH Terms

Baths*
Child
Compliance
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Detergents
Education
Emollients
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Parents
Pruritus
Seasons*
Skin
Skin Care
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Detergents
Emollients

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 SCORAD score, subjective scores, and transepidermal water loss between initial and follow-up visits (*p < 0.01, †p < 0.05).

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