A study to evaluate the efficacy of a moisturizing and lenitive emulsion for the treatment of xerotic skin

Xerosis of the skin (XS) is a common condition affecting any age and any body area. It can be a sign of various skin diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a moisturizing and lenitive emulsion in patients affected with XS. 30 patients, 14 males and 16 females, aged between 25 and 65 years (mean age: 51.1 years) were studied. 14 of them were affected with simple XS, 10 with xerotic eczema, and 6 with xerotic atopic dermatitis. All the patients applied an emulsion containing urea and sorbitol as moisturizing agents, and polidocanol and menthyl lactate as lenitive agents (Idrovel® lenitivo emulsione). The emulsion was applied twice a day for 4 weeks. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed by a questionnaire. Signs and symptoms such as erythema, scaling, dryness, and itch were clinically evaluated after 14 (T1) and 28 (T2) days by means of a 4-points scale. At the same times, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured. Improvement of clinical signs was indeed achieved at T1. Evaluation of signs and symptoms at T2 revealed the following data improvements: erythema, 83.3%; scaling, 90.0%; dryness, 71.2%; itch, 80.0%. T2-T0 decrease of TEWL was 65.1%. In conclusion, the study preparation was efficacious for the treatment of XS due to its good moisturizing and lenitive activities. The improvement of TEWL after therapy suggests that the clinical response is related to restoration of the skin barrier. © Monte Meru Editrice.