Research challenges “no one type of moisturizer” is more beneficial for children’s eczema

03 Jun 2022 --- No one type of moisturizer is superior to another in treating eczema in children. This is according to a study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The study is pegged as the “first of its kind in the world” to compare different types of moisturizers.

The findings emphasize the significance of patient education and choice when determining which moisturizers to use for children with eczema.

“The findings were surprising to us as conventional teaching is that ointments may be more effective, need to be applied less often and cause fewer problems than the other types. We did not find this to be true – although ointments appeared to cause less stinging,” Matthew Ridd, professor of population health sciences at the University of Bristol, tells PersonalCareInsights.

He challenges the industry saying that skincare companies are more interested in showcasing various products.

A study of this type has been long overdue and it has not been in the interest of the manufacturers to directly compare types of moisturizer in the way we have done in this trial, explains Ridd.

“Our findings challenge conventions about how often moisturizers need to be applied, which types are less likely to cause problems and which patients should be recommended certain types. For example, ointments are often suggested for more severe eczema, yet they are no better.”

Different moisturizers: confusion and waste
For the one in every five children who suffer from eczema – also known as atopic eczema/dermatitis, which causes dry, itchy skin – moisturizers (also known as emollients) are prescribed.

The four varieties of moisturizer used in the study had no difference in effectiveness when used in conjunction with other eczema treatments.The National Health Service (NHS) prescribes over 100 different moisturizers, costing over £100 million (US$125.5 million) per year. Due to a lack of research in this area, NHS guidelines differ significantly in what is advised, causing confusion and waste.

“We can’t extrapolate our results, with children with eczema, to other populations, be it adults with eczema or other/no skin conditions. In addition, emollients of the different types with different constituents may perform differently.”

Ridd details that the emollients used in the study did contain one common ingredient: “All the emollients were petroleum-based, none contained antimicrobials or urea. Emollients of each type were similar in respect of major ingredients.”

Analyzing lotion, cream, gel and ointment efficiency
The study participants involved 550 children with eczema 12 years old and younger. The participants were randomly assigned to use one of the four types of moisturizers – lotion, cream, gel, or ointment – during 16 weeks.

For a year, parents kept diaries regarding their child’s eczema and some were interviewed to learn more about how they used the moisturizers and what they thought of them. In addition, each child’s skin was examined independently.

The four varieties of moisturizer used in the study had no difference in effectiveness when used in conjunction with other eczema treatments. Itching and redness were common skin reactions with all types of moisturizers.

Users expressed diverse preferences based on how the moisturizers looked and felt. Some participants favored the “barrier” provided by ointments, while others preferred the fast absorption of lotions.

Researchers add that more studies are required to see if these findings extend to eczema in adolescents and adults as well as other dry skin disorders.

By Nicole Kerr

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