Comparing the Effect of a Twice-weekly Tacrolimus and Betamethasone Valerate Dose on the Subclinical Epidermal Barrier Defect in Atopic Dermatitis

The proactive use of topical anti-inflammatory (TAI) therapy to address subclinical inflammation is an effective, contemporary clinical strategy for the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). The interaction of a proactive TAI dose with the subclinical epidermal barrier defect in AD is yet to be determined. A randomised, observer-blind, functional mechanistic study in 17 subjects with quiescent AD was performed to compare the effect of a twice-weekly dose of betamethasone valerate (0.1%) cream (BMVc), against tacrolimus (0.1%) ointment (TACo) on the biophysical and biological properties of the epidermal barrier. Application of BMVc preserved epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum (SC) integrity, but significantly elevated skin-surface pH with concomitant loss of SC cohesion. By contrast, TACo improved SC integrity, exerted an overall hydrating action, and significantly reduced caseinolytic and trypsin-like protease activity. The differential effects reported support the proactive use of TACo to promote reparation of the subclinical barrier defect in AD.