Use of soap in the management of atopic dermatitis

One hundred and thirty patients with atopic dermatitis, who had used no soap for at least a month, were allowed to use common toilet soaps when having a shower to keep the skin clean. Immediately after bathing, the skin lesions and areas of dry skin were treated with topical medications. When soap was used in this way topically applied medications were found to be more effective than before the use of soap. After I week, 119(91.5%)of the 130 patients showed a considerable improvement of the skin lesions. After 5 weeks, most patients had a progressive improvement of eczema. Deterioration of eczema or dry skin did not occur.