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The Effect of Nature-based Exposure on the Immune System and Skin Health of Atopic Dermatitis Patients.

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Atopic Dermatitis
Interventions
Other: Nature-based exposure by biodiversity component in lotion.
Other: Placebo group using colored lotion.
Registration Number
NCT06129136
Lead Sponsor
Uute Scientific Oy
Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to explore the effect of nature-based exposure on immunological biomarkers and the condition and symptoms of atopic skin. Our hypothesis is that regular exposure to nature-based, high biodiversity material on skin, strengthens the skin's protective barrier and has a positive effect on the immunological biomarkers associated with atopic dermatitis. Further our hypothesis is that the difference between the groups (active and placebo) is noticeable during winter time when the disease is typically worse because of the cold weather. The study aim at scientific publication and is double-blinded and placebo-controlled. Time of the intervention is 6-7 months: intervention starts before the Finnish winter time and ends before the summer.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
142
Inclusion Criteria
  • A person aged 18-65, legally competent
  • Meets Hanifin & Rajka's criteria for atopic dermatitis in the initial interview and eczema has also appeared regularly in adulthood
  • The possibility to commit to the research
Exclusion Criteria
  • Cancer or cancer treatments
  • Medication that suppresses the immune system (excluding antihistamines)
  • Systemic medicine intended for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (orally or as an injection, other than an antihistamine) or the use of clinical phototherapy in the last 6 months.
  • Skin infection (such as a eczema that required antibiotic cream or a parasitic infection, e.g.scabies mite) during the last 6 months
  • Atopic dermatitis that required hospitalization in the last 2 years
  • Psoriasis or other skin disease affecting the study in addition to atopy
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Nature-based exposure by biodiversity component in lotion.Nature-based exposure by biodiversity component in lotion.This group uses regularly the lotion with added natural biodiversity component. The component is mimicking natural exposure to Finnish forest soil and it contains high microbial diversity. The microbes are inactivated.
Placebo group using colored lotion.Placebo group using colored lotion.This group uses regularly the same vehicle lotion than Nature exposure group, with the difference that the biodiversity component has been replaced with safe coloring ingredients to give the same brownish color than in the other group's lotion. Coloring ingredients are iron oxides that are common in foods and cosmetics: C.I.7791, C.I.77492, C.I. 774499.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL)4 or 7 months

Transepidermal water loss level at designated places

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Skin pH value4 or 7 months

Skin pH value of designated places

NRS itchAssessment is done every two weeks by the participant

NRS itch score during the trial

POEM (Patient Oriented Eczema Measure)Assessment is done every two weeks by the participant

POEM points during the study

Erythema index4 or 7 months

Erythema index at designated places

Need of atopy medicines4 or 7 months

Number of medicine free days

Adverse eventsAssessment is done every two weeks by the participant

Adverse events during the trial

EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index)4 or 7 months

EASI score

Immunological markers in saliva, skin and blood samples4 or 7 months

Immunological markers, like cytokines, in saliva, skin and blood samples and their expression analyzed from RNA.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Uute Scientific Oy

🇫🇮

Helsinki, Finland

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