Antimicrobial and barrier repair properties of virgin coconut oil and mineral oil in pediatric atopic dermatitis patients, a randomized, double-blind, control trial

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND@#Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing skin disease in childhood, managed by topical therapies. In the Philippines, use of affordable, widely available and effective alternative therapies such as mineral oil (MO) and virgin coconut oil (VCO), are practical especially in the far-flung areas.@*OBJECTIVES@#This study compares the antimicrobial and barrier repair properties of MO and VCO in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, using SCORAD (SCORing for Atopic Dermatitis), bacterial culture, tewameter, mexameter and corneometer.@*METHODS@#This is a randomized controlled doubleblind trial conducted in two tertiary hospitals. Bacterial colonies, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), level of hydration and erythema were determined at baseline and after 4 weeks using bacterial culture, tewameter, corneometer and mexameter, respectively. SCORAD and adverse effects were also determined at baseline, 2nd and 4th week of treatment.@*RESULTS@#Baseline patient demographics were similar for both treatment groups. The SCORAD, TEWL and level of erythema were significantly decreased throughout the 4-week duration for both treatment groups, but much lower in the VCO group. The hydration level was significantly increased throughout the 4-week duration but much higher for the VCO group. Lastly, there is more proportion of cultures with "no growth" after the 4-week treatment duration in VCO group.@*CONCLUSION@#The antimicrobial and barrier repair properties of VCO are very important alternative which is affordable, readily available, safe and effective for children with mild to moderate AD.