A 2-week randomized comparative study assessed the effects of adding emollients (Balneum Baby® Cream and Balneum Hermal® Oil) to 0.1% methylprednisolone aceponate cream in 52 children with atopic dermatitis (AD). Twenty-six children (group A) were treated with the steroid once daily for 2 weeks and observed for another 4 weeks; another group (group B) received the same treatment and also used the additional emollients. Patients were assessed at baseline and days 14, 28 and 42. Both groups significantly improved (p<0.001) on the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) scale versus baseline. However, xerosis and pruritus improved significantly more in group B. In group B this improvement on the EASI scale was maintained for a ...