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Dermatitis - contact - Evidence
Evidence on cold compresses for acute contact dermatitis
CKS found no good-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the effects of applying a compress to the skin in acute contact dermatitis. Compresses of water and physiological saline may reduce transepidermal water loss, but it is not clear whether this translates to clinical benefit. The use of cool, moist compresses or wet dressings is recommended by the current medical literature.
- CKS found no good-quality RCTs of the effects of applying a compress to the skin in acute contact dermatitis.
- In one small study of nine people with experimentally-induced irritant dermatitis, compresses of water and physiological saline both significantly reduced transepidermal water loss, but no significant difference in visual scoring was seen with either treatment [Levin and Maibach, 2001].
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