The study demonstrated that Epiceram accelerated skin barrier recovery in treated vs untreated eczema sites. This objective measurement in the improvement of skin barrier function correlated to a 100% reduction in reported symptoms of itch at three and six hours of treatment. Furthermore, a reduction of over 50% in dry skin, 45% in scaliness and an over 37% reduction in irritation was also observed.
In this small but statistically significant study five people with moderate-to-severe eczema applied a single application of Epiceram barrier repair cream. Their reactions to the treatment were then objectively monitored.
The skin’s barrier is composed of a thin sheet of epidermal lipids about half the thickness of a piece of notebook paper. This thin, flexible combination of oily components is remarkably strong and forms a mechanical defense against skin irritants and bacterial infections while also helping to retain skin moisture.
Persons who suffer from eczema have a defective skin barrier that allows higher levels of moisture to evaporate through their skin. This results in dry, cracked skin which sets off an inflammatory cascade leading to an itchy, scaly rash. The scratch-itch cycle leads to additional degradation of the skin’s barrier, further exacerbating the disease. Epiceram contains a specific combination of oily ingredients which has been shown to form a barrier which replicates that found naturally in the skin.
The standard therapy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis has long been dominated by topical steroids and more recently by immunosuppressive drugs. Long-term use of potent topical steroids may have significant adverse side effects…consequently, there is a medical need for new approaches in the treatment of this disease, said Dr Peter Elias, inventor of the treatment, professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, and Ceragenix’s chief scientific officer.