Paediatric atopic dermatitis: frequent baths improve disease severity

Takeaway

• Twice-daily soaking baths are associated with improved disease severity compared with twice-weekly baths in children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Why this matters

• Few studies have analysed the role of bathing frequency in pediatric AD.

Key results

• Twice-daily baths were associated with decreased physician-assessed severity (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis [SCORAD] index) compared with twice-weekly baths (effect size, 21.23; P<.0001).
• Twice-daily baths were also associated with improved parent-assessed disease severity (Atopic Dermatitis QuickScore [ADQ]; effect size, 5.76; P=.0052).

Study design

• 40 children aged 6 months-11 years with moderate to severe AD received either twice-weekly baths (N=20) or twice-daily baths (N=20); all received immediate application of an occlusive moisturiser.
• Funding: Maine Medical Center Research Institute; Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc.

Limitations

• Small patient sample size.
• Potential selection bias because of pre-randomisation attrition.