Evaluation of a new moisturizer (Exomega milk) in children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of emollient therapy are widely accepted in atopic dermatitis, there is a relative lack of clinical evidence supporting their efficacy in these conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, the tolerance and the effects on children's quality of life of a new moisturizer milk (Exomega milk) in childhood atopic dermatitis. METHODS: This controlled, randomized, multi-centric study had two parallel groups, involving children aged 6 months to 12 years, with mild and moderate atopic dermatitis (Scorad<35). The treated group applied the moisturizer milk twice a day for 2 months, in association with a cleansing bar. The non-treated group had only the cleansing bar. The use of strong and moderate topical corticoids was allowed and quantified. The following parameters were evaluated: Scorad, tolerance and the children's quality of life index. RESULTS: A total of 76 children (mean age 4 years) were included: 37 in the treated group, 39 in the non-treated group. After 2 months, the decrease of the Scorad index in the treated group was not statistically significant (p = 0.051) but detailed evaluation showed a significant improvement of xerosis (p = 0.01) and pruritus (p = 0.01) in the treated group compared with the non-treated group. Clinical improvement in the treated group after 2 months of treatment was correlated to a significant improvement of the children's quality of life index (p = 0.0011). Tolerance was good to excellent in 97% of cases. CONCLUSION: The milk emollient studied was found to provide an interesting auxiliary treatment in childhood atopic dermatitis since it gave positive results, in particular on xerosis and pruritus, as well as an improvement of the quality of life of the children.