The clinical efficacy, safety and functionality of anion textile in the treatment of atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Several previous studies have suggested the improvement of atopic dermatitis (AD) in response to special fabrics. In particular, beneficial effects have been reported, following the use of anion textiles.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an anion textile in patients suffering from AD.

Methods: We compared an anion textile with a pure cotton textile. Fifty-two atopic patients (n=52) were enrolled and divided into two groups. The patients in the test (n=25) and control (n=19) groups wore undergarments made of an anion textile or pure cotton over a period of 4 weeks. The overall severity of disease was evaluated using the SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, whereas, the treatment efficacy was measured using a Tewameter® (Courage & Khazaka, Cologne, Germany), Mexameter® (Courage & Khazaka) and Corneo meter® (Courage & Khazaka).

Results: At the end of the study, a significant decrease in the SCORAD index was observed among the patients with AD in the test group (mean SCORAD decreased from 47.2 to 36.1). Similarly, improvements in the mean transepidermal water loss, skin erythema and stratum corneum hydration were significantly greater among the patients with AD in the test group than in the control group.

Conclusion: Anion textiles may be used to significantly improve the objective and subjective symptoms of AD, and are similar in terms of comfort to cotton textiles. The use of anion textiles may be beneficial in the management of patients with AD.

Keywords: Anion textile; Atopic dermatitis.

Fig. 1

Optical and electron microscopic structures of the anion textile. (A) ×100, ×300, (B) ×2,000. The anion textile fibers are regular and rounded without stubby ends, resulting in a smooth feeling overall. The polyester filaments (orange circle) contain nano-sized fine-crusted tourmaline powder (green circle).

Fig. 2

The mean SCORAD index values for groups A and B during the study period. The values for group A decreased significantly at 4 week (p<0.0001); in addition, a significant difference was detected between the groups (p=0.0308). SCORAD: SCORing atopic dermatitis.

Fig. 3

TEWL from eczematous lesions on the flexor surface of the forearm. At 4 week, group A showed a significant decrease in mean TEWL compared to the baseline (p<0.0001) by using the repeated measures ANOVA. TEWL: transepidermal water loss, AUs: arbitrary units.

Fig. 4

Stratum corneum hydration (SCH) in eczematous lesions on the flexor surface of the forearm. At 4 week, group A showed a significant improvement in the mean SCH compared to the baseline (p=0.0004). Although group B also showed an improvement in the mean SCH compared with the baseline, it was not statistically significant. Values are expressed as mean±standard error of the mean. AUs: arbitrary units.

Fig. 5

Skin erythema in eczematous lesions on the flexor surface of the forearm. At 4 week, group A showed decreased mean skin erythema significantly compared to the baseline (p=0.0025) during the study period by using the repeated measures ANOVA. Values are expressed as mean±standard error of the mean. AUs: arbitrary units.

Fig. 6

The reported wearing comfort of the anion and cotton textiles.