Eczema is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterised by dry skin, intense itch and recurrent eczematous lesions which flare and settle. Impaired skin barrier due to eczema leads to loss of moisture, a dysregulated immune system causing inflammation and a disrupted microbiome with increased colonisation of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, that may cause infection and disease flares. Regular liberal application of emollients is an integral part of eczema management which improves and maintains the skin barrier.
Topical coconut oil has been shown to improve skin integrity, whilst also demonstrating antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Monolaurin (the primary fatty acid in coconut oil), at the concentrations present in topically administered coconut oil, has substantial antimicrobial activity, particularly against gram-positive skin pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae, as well as the yeast Candida albicans. Coconut oil has successfully been used for skin care in preterm born infants.
The immunology and dermatology clinical teams at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) are conducting a pilot clinical trial investigating the effects of daily topical coconut oil on eczema to quantify the feasibility, acceptability, safety and clinical effects of topical coconut oil in the maintenance treatment of eczema.
PCH invites children under the age of 6 with doctor diagnosed eczema to participate in the trial.
Participants will be required to attend six outpatient clinic appointments at PCH over six months and will be randomised to use routine care, or routine care and coconut oil over the trial period.
A brochure for interested parents is available here.