Background: The efficacy and safety of an over-the-counter (OTC) 1% colloidal oatmeal cream versus a ceramide-based prescription barrier cream in children with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) were previously described.
Objectives: Here, findings are reported for the Black/African American subgroup.
Methods: Patients were randomized to 1% oatmeal cream or prescription barrier cream twice daily or as needed for three weeks. Assessments included Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores, Investigator's Global Atopic Dermatitis Assessment (IGADA) scores, and patients'/caregivers' assessment of eczema signs and symptoms.
Results: Overall, 49 Black/African American children aged 2-15 years with mild/moderate AD were included. At week 3, mean (SD) changes from baseline in EASI scores were -2.4 (1.7) with 1% oatmeal cream and -2.1 (2.3) with barrier cream; improvements were observed from week 1. At week 3, mean (SD) changes from baseline in IGADA scores were -0.6 (0.7) and -0.7 (0.6), respectively. Improvements in subjective ratings of signs/symptoms of eczema were observed. Both study treatments were well tolerated.
Conclusion: OTC 1% oatmeal cream was at least as effective and safe as prescription barrier cream in this population, providing a novel, fast-acting, and cost-effective option for the symptomatic treatment of mild-to-moderate AD in Black/African American children.
Keywords: African American; atopic dermatitis; black; children; colloidal oatmeal.