Abstract
BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease which, depending on its severity, can have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. In cases of severe AD, systemic immunomodulatory agents can be considered for treatment. However, the available treatment options for moderate AD are limited. According to previous reports, however, 308-nm excimer light is a potential treatment for localized, moderate AD. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of 308-nm excimer light in Korean adults with AD. METHODS: This study included Korean patients aged over 19 years, who were diagnosed with AD by a dermatologist, with bilateral, symmetric, and eczematous lesions. The symmetrical lesions in each patient were treated as control-test pairs. Treatment with 308-nm excimer light was applied to the test lesion twice a week for 4 weeks. The severity of the eczema, trans-epidermal water loss, and epidermal capacitance were measured. RESULTS: A total of 25 participants were enrolled in the study. After the first visit, two participants withdrew, whereas the remaining 23 completed the study. There was a statistically significant improvement in AD severity in the test group than in the control group (p<0.001). Skin barrier function also improved in the test than in the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence for the use of 308-nm excimer light as a treatment option to improve symptoms and skin barrier function in moderately localized AD.