Skin reactions to skin care soaps in children with atopic dermatitis were compared between the left and right extremities in order to select good soaps for atopic dermatitis. The soap routinely used by the patient was used on one extremity and the other soap, named CD, was used on the other extremity. The children and their family members recorded the severity of erythema and itching on each extremity in the atopic diary, and skin dermatitis scores were later calculated in terms of diary. Children and their family members were also interviewed at the hospital and their self-assessments in skin conditions were recorded. In 5 out of 29 cases (17%), the usefulness of the soap used prior to this study was better than that of the CD soap; in 9 cases (31%), the CD soap was superior; 15 cases (52%) reported no difference. Two cases showed different erythema scores, even though no difference in their self-assessments was reported. In one case, CD soap was stopped because of the immediate skin worsening. A comparison of skin reactions in the left and right extremities was useful method in bringing about the good selection of the soap for atopic dermatitis.
