Evaluation of Topical B12 for the Treatment of Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

This study is being done to see in B12 applied to the skin will improve the symptoms of eczema in children compared to a placebo creme

INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis is a prevalent disease process in children, affecting up to 20% of children in the United States. Various treatment options are available to treat atopic dermatitis to include topical emollients, topical steroids, and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Each treatment option has benefits and potential risks. This study was done to determine if topical B12 could be a tolerable and efficacious alternative treatment option in this population. METHODS: The study was conducted as a placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial with intraindividual left ⁄ right comparison. Parents were given 2 containers of creams and instructed to apply the Vitamin B12 cream to one side of the body and the placebo cream to the contralateral side according to the randomization scheme.

Inclusion Criteria: children presenting to the Center for Family Medicine or Regional Pediatrics between the ages of 6 months and 18 years old with atopic dermatitis Exclusion Criteria: unwillingness of parent to consent to study protocol, pregnancy or lactation, eczema with superinfection present, known history of allergy to Vitamin B12 or components of the base cream, topical treatment with corticosteroids in the 4 weeks prior to enrollment

Stucker M, Pieck C, Stoerb C, Niedner R, Hartung J, Altmeyer P. Topical vitamin B12--a new therapeutic approach in atopic dermatitis-evaluation of efficacy and tolerability in a randomized placebo-controlled multicentre clinical trial. Br J Dermatol. 2004 May;150(5):977-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05866.x.