Frequency of bathing in the management of atopic dermatitis: to bathe or not to bathe?

Authors: Koutroulis I (1,2) , Petrova K (2) , Kratimenos P (1,2) , Gaughan J (3)

Affiliations:

(1) St Christopher's Hospital for Children (2) Drexel University College of Medicine (3) Temple University School of Medicine

Source: Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2014 Jun;53(7):677-81

Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Ioannis Koutroulis,
Department of Emergency Medicine, St Christopher’s Hospital for Children, 3601 A Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA.
Email: ioannis.koutroulis@drexelmed.edu

Keywords

Article abstract

BACKGROUND:

Atopic dermatitis prevalence has increased in the developed world in recent decades, and effective management is vital to improve patients' quality of life.

METHODS:

A prospective, randomized, case-control study with a purposive sample of 28 children, aged 6 months to 10 years, diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Participants received bathing instructions to be followed either daily or twice a week, with a follow-up duration of 2 weeks. Improvement of symptoms over time was measured using the SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) tool.

RESULTS:

Overall symptoms decreased significantly at follow-up compared with baseline (difference = 5.0938, confidence interval = 0.2116 to 9.9759) but the differences in scores before and after interventions were not statistically significant between the groups (difference = -1.0937, confidence interval = -5.9759 to 3.7884).

CONCLUSIONS:

The frequency of bathing did not seem to play an important role in the management of atopic dermatitis. Clinicians should focus on the need for adequate skin hydration.

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