<p>Emollient formulations containing antiseptics reduce effectively the level of <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> on skin</p>

Abstract

BackgroundIncreased skin colonization by Staphylococcus aureus is associated with atopic eczema (AE) severity. Reduction of S. aureus levels on the skin results in an improvement in the clinical condition.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of topical products including a bath oil, cream, and wash combining antiseptics and emollients (A+E) was compared to products containing emollients only. The preference of patients with AE for A+E cream or emollient only cream to relieve symptoms of itching, erythema, and inflammation when applied three times daily for 10 days is evaluated. Repeat insult patch testing of the products is also conducted.ResultsA significant reduction in microbial counts was found following use of A+E bath oil (4.09±0.32 vs 6.20±0.24 log10 cfu/mL S. aureus, P<0.001), A+E cream (5.50±0.63 vs 5.94±0.72 log10 cfu/foot S. aureus, P=0.002), and A+E wash (2.71±0.48 vs 3.57±0.31 log10 cfu/mL Escherichia coli, P<0.001) compared to the emollient only products. The A+E cream was preferred to the emollient only cream (P=0.004) by patients with AE. All three tested formulations were found to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to the skin.ConclusionThe bath oil, cream, and wash containing antiseptics and emollients decrease the level of bacteria on the skin, including S. aureus, compared to emollient only products. Patients with AE preferred the A+E cream compared to the emollient only cream to relieve symptoms of itching, erythema, and inflammation. The choice of formulation allows clinicians and patients to choose a suitable product for the short-term treatment of eczema flare-ups caused by bacterial infections.

Use of Dexpanthenol for Atopic Dermatitis—Benefits and Recommendations Based on Current Evidence

“…The active, non-medicated substances are active ingredients that do not qualify as topical drugs [ 66 ], which include saponins, flavonoids, vitamins such as riboflavin and niacin, and beneficial bacterial lysates. Some of these active ingredients were found to improve skin protection, relieve pruritis, exert an anti-inflammatory reaction, exhibit antioxidant properties, and provide biologically essential lipids and antimicrobial activities [ 91 , 92 , 93 ]. Dexpanthenol is approved as a cosmetic ingredient with established safety, and it has evidence-based potent skin-hydration and wound-healing effects [ 19 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Atopic Dermatitis and Staphylococcus aureus

“…The use of emollients is a central pillar to AD management, and incorporating antiseptics into emollients may prove more beneficial than emollients alone by decreasing S. aureus levels (Spada et al, 2019). One study found that ozone hydrotherapy and ozonated oil decreased S. aureus prevalence in AD lesions in just 3 days, suggesting the efficacy of topical ozone therapy for AD through restoring microbiome diversity (Zeng et al, 2020).…”

Emolientes: beneficios, elementos clave y aplicación clínica

“…Actualmente se realizan ensayos más largos que posiblemente proporcionarán información más exacta de los beneficios del uso del uso de emolientes en un futuro próximo. 75 Los ensayos comparativos entre productos hidratantes son pocos y los realizados no han demostrado que uno sea superior a otro. Un estudio de 39 sujetos con dermatitis atópica leve a moderada no encontró diferencias en la eficacia entre la crema hidrolipídica que contiene ácido glicirretínico, ceramidas, colesterol, ácidos grasos libres y una crema hidratante protectora de la piel con base en petrolato cuando se usa por tres semanas.…”