Efficacy of Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Hand Eczema Treatment Using Petrolatum and Panthenol Ointment vs. 0.1% Triamcinolone Acetonide in 10% Urea Cream: A Split-hand, Evaluator-blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background: There are many side effects resulting from the long-term use of conventional therapy (eg, high potency topical corticosteroids) for treatment of chronic hand eczema (CHE).

Objective: This study aimed to explore the efficacy of CHE treatment using the healing ointment (HO) of anti-inflammatory ingredients compared with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in 10% urea cream (TAU).

Methods: A split-hand, evaluator-blinded, randomized, controlled study was conducted in 26 patients (88.5% female, mean age 50.04 ± 9.63 years) with mild-to-moderate CHE. All patients were randomly assigned to apply HO or TAU twice daily on each side of the hand for consecutive 28 days.

Results: There was an improvement of HECSI, TEWL, SCH, hemoglobin index, DLQI, and VAS on the HO treated side at Day 28, with statistical significance. Also, a statistically significant difference of TEWL reduction was observed on the HO treated side when compared to the TAU treated side at the same visit. Moreover, the superior post-moisturizing efficacy at seven days was noted for TEWL and SCH on the HO treated side.

Conclusion: The use of HO with anti-inflammatory ingredients could be alternatively efficacious for treatment of CHE to prevent complications from the long-term application of steroids.