Effect of a new cryotherapy device on an itchy sensation in patients with mild atopic dermatitis

Background: The existence of an itchy sensation is a common complaint in patients with atopic dermatitis. More therapeutic modalities to address the itchy sensation in atopic dermatitis are still required. Objective: We sought to assess the effect of a new cryotherapy device on the itchy sensation experienced by patients with atopic dermatitis. Methods: A total of 28 patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis participated in this study. A split-body clinical trial was conducted for 2 months, where one side of each participant was treated with the novel cryotherapy device, and the other side of each participant was observed as a control. The cryotherapy device was set to −5°C and applied for five seconds. We evaluated the visual analog scale (VAS) score for itch at 10, 30, and 60 minutes and at 1, 2 and 8 weeks after cryotherapy application. In addition, the level of patient satisfaction and adverse events were evaluated every visit. Results: On the day immediately after treatment, the VAS score for itch in the treated-side group was lower following cryotherapy application than as compared within the control-side group. Further, the VAS score for itch in the treated-side group at baseline (before treatment) was higher than at 1, 2 and 8 weeks after treatment. The proportion of patients reporting good or excellent satisfaction was 14.3%. No serious adverse events were recorded. Conclusions: The novel cryotherapy tested herein may be a valuable antipruritic therapeutic remedy in patients with atopic dermatitis.