Ann Dermatol.  2012 Nov;24(4):438-443. 10.5021/ad.2012.24.4.438.

The Clinical Efficacy, Safety and Functionality of Anion Textile in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Dermatology, Busan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea. karrot75@hanmail.net
  • 2Dr Park's Dermatologic Clinic, Busan, Korea.
  • 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea.

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(R) (Courage & Khazaka, Cologne, Germany), Mexameter(R) (Courage & Khazaka) and Corneo meter(R) (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.

Keyword

Anion textile; Atopic dermatitis

MeSH Terms

Dermatitis, Atopic
Erythema
Humans
Skin
Stress, Psychological
Textiles
Treatment Outcome
Water Loss, Insensible
Water Loss, Insensible

Figure

  • 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.


Reference

1. Williams JR, Burr ML, Williams HC. Factors influencing atopic dermatitis-a questionnaire survey of schoolchildren's perceptions. Br J Dermatol. 2004. 150:1154–1161.
Article
2. Roll A, Cozzio A, Fischer B, Schmid-Grendelmeier P. Microbial colonization and atopic dermatitis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004. 4:373–378.
Article
3. Baker BS. The role of microorganisms in atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Immunol. 2006. 144:1–9.
Article
4. Hermanns JF, Goffin V, Arrese JE, Rodriguez C, Piérard GE. Beneficial effects of softened fabrics on atopic skin. Dermatology. 2001. 202:167–170.
Article
5. Ricci G, Patrizi A, Mandrioli P, Specchia F, Medri M, Menna G, et al. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of a special silk textile in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Dermatology. 2006. 213:224–227.
Article
6. Gauger A. Silver-coated textiles in the therapy of atopic eczema. Curr Probl Dermatol. 2006. 33:152–164.
Article
7. Ricci G, Patrizi A, Bellini F, Medri M. Use of textiles in atopic dermatitis: care of atopic dermatitis. Curr Probl Dermatol. 2006. 33:127–143.
8. Juenger M, Ladwig A, Staecker S, Arnold A, Kramer A, Daeschlein G, et al. Efficacy and safety of silver textile in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Curr Med Res Opin. 2006. 22:739–750.
Article
9. Gauger A, Fischer S, Mempel M, Schaefer T, Foelster-Holst R, Abeck D, et al. Efficacy and functionality of silver-coated textiles in patients with atopic eczema. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2006. 20:534–541.
Article
10. Hipler UC, Elsner P, Fluhr JW. Antifungal and antibacterial properties of a silver-loaded cellulosic fiber. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2006. 77:156–163.
Article
11. Ricci G, Patrizi A, Bendandi B, Menna G, Varotti E, Masi M. Clinical effectiveness of a silk fabric in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. 2004. 150:127–131.
Article
12. Gauger A, Mempel M, Schekatz A, Schäfer T, Ring J, Abeck D. Silver-coated textiles reduce Staphylococcus aureus colonization in patients with atopic eczema. Dermatology. 2003. 207:15–21.
Article
13. Hanifin JM, Rajka G. Diagnostic features of atopic dermatitis. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh). 1980. 92:44–47.
14. Severity scoring of atopic dermatitis: the SCORAD index. Consensus Report of the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatology. 1993. 186:23–31.
15. Rogiers V. EEMCO Group. EEMCO guidance for the assessment of transepidermal water loss in cosmetic sciences. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 2001. 14:117–128.
Article
16. Berardesca E. European Group for Efficacy Measurements on Cosmetics and Other Topical Products (EEMCO). EEMCO guidance for the assessment of stratum corneum hydration: electrical methods. Skin Res Technol. 1997. 3:126–132.
Article
17. Fluhr JW, Kuss O, Diepgen T, Lazzerini S, Pelosi A, Gloor M, et al. Testing for irritation with a multifactorial approach: comparison of eight non-invasive measuring techniques on five different irritation types. Br J Dermatol. 2001. 145:696–703.
Article
18. Clarys P, Alewaeters K, Lambrecht R, Barel AO. Skin color measurements: comparison between three instruments: the Chromameter(R), the DermaSpectrometer(R) and the Mexameter( R). Skin Res Technol. 2000. 6:230–238.
Article
19. Hatch KL, Maibach HI. Textile fiber dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis. 1985. 12:1–11.
Article
20. Senti G, Steinmann LS, Fischer B, Kurmann R, Storni T, Johansen P, et al. Antimicrobial silk clothing in the treatment of atopic dermatitis proves comparable to topical corticosteroid treatment. Dermatology. 2006. 213:228–233.
Article
21. Ring J, Brockow K, Abeck D. The therapeutic concept of "patient management" in atopic eczema. Allergy. 1996. 51:206–215.
Article
22. Niwa Y, Iizawa O, Ishimoto K, Jiang X, Kanoh T. Electromagnetic wave emitting products and "Kikoh" potentiate human leukocyte functions. Int J Biometeorol. 1993. 37:133–138.
Article
23. Dover JS, Phillips TJ, Arndt KA. Cutaneous effects and therapeutic uses of heat with emphasis on infrared radiation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1989. 20:278–286.
Article
24. Meng J, Jin W, Liang J, Ding Y, Gan K, Yuan Y. Effects of particle size on far infrared emission properties of tourmaline superfine powders. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2010. 10:2083–2087.
Article
25. Ju K, Kubo T. Power spectral analysis of autonomic nervous activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biomed Sci Instrum. 1997. 33:338–343.
26. Yoo BH, Park CM, Oh TJ, Han SH, Kang HH, Chang IS. Investigation of jewelry powders radiating far-infrared rays and the biological effects on human skin. J Cosmet Sci. 2002. 53:175–184.
27. Suzuki S, Yanagita S, Amemiya S, Kato Y, Kubota N, Ryushi T, et al. Effects of negative air ions on activity of neural substrates involved in autonomic regulation in rats. Int J Biometeorol. 2008. 52:481–489.
Article
28. Watanabe I, Noro H, Ohtsuka Y, Mano Y, Agishi Y. Physical effects of negative air ions in a wet sauna. Int J Biometeorol. 1997. 40:107–112.
Article
29. Abeck D, Strom K. Optimal management of atopic dermatitis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2000. 1:41–46.
Article
30. Borelli S, Stern A, Wüthrich B. A silk cardigan inducing asthma. Allergy. 1999. 54:900–901.
Article
Full Text Links
  • AD
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr