Impact of wearing Comfiknit Atopic Eczema® T-shirts on patients with atopic dermatitis: An open-label pilot study

Objectives

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is aggravated by various factors, including perspiration and heat. Thus, it is recommended that AD patients wear breathable clothing to maintain disease remission. Japan has four seasons, so the ideal clothing for individuals with AD may differ throughout the year. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of wearing a newly developed performance fabric, named the Comfiknit Atopic Eczema^® T-shirt, which absorbs excess perspiration from the skin surface and retains moisture within the fabric. We evaluated the effects of the T-shirts on the clinical characteristics of AD and compared the effects in summer and winter.

Methods

Ten adult outpatients with AD took part in an open-label pilot study for 4 weeks during the summer and for 4 weeks during the winter. The Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), the itch Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the stratum corneum water content (SCWC), skin pH, and skin bacterial cultures were evaluated. A Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication-9 (TSQM-9) was filled out only after the intervention.

Results

The mean EASI, POEM, and itch VAS scores in both summer and winter fell after wearing the Comfiknit Atopic Eczema^® T-shirts, whereas the SCWC increased. There was no significant difference in the skin surface pH or bacterial cultures before and after the intervention.

Conclusions

Wearing Comfiknit Atopic Eczema^® T-shirts helped to prevent exacerbation of AD in summer and winter. Thus, wearing T-shirts made from performance fabric may help to maintain skin homeostasis.