Topical steroids are the mainstay of therapy in atopic dermatitis. However, as massive colonization of lesional and non-lesional skin of atopic dermatitis patients with staphylococcus aureus had been proved to exist and aggravate the skin lesions, thus topical antibiotics seem necessary to be added New combined topical antibiotics and steroid formula eliminate forcefully the organism. Moreover, as topical medication penetrates a moist stratum corneum more effectively than it will penetrate a dehydrated stratum corneum. Thus combining two and not one moderately potent topical steroids, a topical antibiotic with an emollient, in rapidly and effectively controlling atopic dermatitis lesions was the aim of this study. Twenty females with non facial non extensive forms of atopic dermatitis were included in this study. Atopic dermatitis severity scoring was performed using the SCORAD index. Three weeks after the start of therapy (second visit), marked improvement of the treated lesions were observed, especially erythema, oozing/crusting and oedema/papules, with minimization of pruritus and sleep disturbance. These three signs disappeared on the third visit, six weeks after start of therapy, only minimal dryness was detected with no more personal complaints, thus patients were shifted to maintenance therapy with an emollient. The combined topical therapy was effective and safe in rapidly controlling treated lesions.
Key words: atopic dermatitis; combined therapy; emollient; topical antibiotics; topical steroids