Moisturizing cream ameliorates dryness and desquamation in participants not receiving topical psoriasis treatment

Psoriasis is a disorder characterized by faster than normal skin growth, resulting in a buildup of thickened areas with a scaly appearance. Common sites of involvement include the scalp, elbows, knees, and back. Moisturization of these areas may provide relief by increasing hydration. Accordingly, the use of a moisturizing cream (Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream) was studied in participants with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis (5%-10% body surface area) who either were not being treated or had discontinued the use of all topical psoriasis medications and all other moisturizers and remained off of them for the entire study. The condition of the participants'skin was objectively monitored for skin barrier function through transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration through corneometry, and desquamation through the use of sticky tape corneocyte counts (D-SQUAME). Thirty participants were enrolled. The results of this 4-week study indicate there was no further damage to the skin barrier, as no significant change in TEWL was seen. Furthermore, skin hydration increased over the course of the study. Desquamation measurements showed a significant percentage of participants with skin improvements from very dry to dry or normal (P < .0001 for all time points). All of these effects were noted despite the absence of topical psoriasis treatment. The investigator assessed that this moisturizer was well-tolerated and appropriate for use on the damaged skin of participants with psoriasis.