An Investigation of the Order of Applying an Emollient with a Topical Steroid in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Authors

Andrea Conner, Southern Wesleyan UniversityFollow
Ashlee Tietje, Southern Wesleyan UniversityFollow

Abstract

In 2007, the prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis had increased two to three-fold within the last three decades and affected 15-20% of young children (Buys, 2007). Current treatment includes the use of both steroid and emollient creams. Current suggestions for the order of application are contradictory. This study aims to examine the role of the order of application of treatments for Atopic Dermatitis (AD). Hairless mice (SKH-1) were induced to a mild AD flare-up using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and treated with either 1% hydrocortisone (Maximum Strength Cortizone 10 cream) alone, 1% hydrocortisone followed by Cetaphil (emollient), or Cetaphil followed by 1% hydrocortisone. We assessed the efficacy of the treatments by measuring: body weights, area scores, severity scores, and IgE levels. For all measurements, there were no statistically significant differences observed between the treatment groups or between the treatment groups and the control untreated group. The findings may be useful in harmonizing human treatment plans in healthcare.

Recommended Citation

Conner, Andrea and Tietje, Ashlee (2018) "An Investigation of the Order of Applying an Emollient with a Topical Steroid in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis," Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science: Vol. 16: Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jscas/vol16/iss1/7