Efficacy of crisis intervention treatment with topical corticosteroid prednicarbat with and without partial wet-wrap dressing in atopic dermatitis

Background: The wet-wrap treatment has been reported to be beneficial in acute episodes of atopic dermatitis ( AD) skin lesions. Objective: The efficacy of topical corticosteroid prednicarbat with and without additional wet-wrap dressing was investigated in a prospective, randomized and controlled study. Methods: In the left-right comparison study, 24 adults and children with an acute episode of AD were included. One arm or leg was randomly treated with the topical corticosteroid prednicarbat plus wet-wrap dressing; only prednicarbat was applied on the leg or arm of the other side. Results: After 48-72 h of treatment, in both groups an improvement of the local SCORAD was observed. In comparison to the side of the body treated with corticosteroid alone, the decrease of the local SCORAD in the corticosteroid plus wet-wrap dressing group was significantly better. The severity of AD improved in the wet-wrap group at an average of 4.4 points, in the corticosteroid group 3.0 ( p < 0.011). Conclusions: Wet-wrap therapy with a topical corticosteroid is an effective treatment option in patients with exacerbated AD. The treatment is helpful in improving skin conditions, shortening the time of corticosteroid application. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.