Eman S. Alsatari,
Juliana L. D’Sa
Eman S. Alsatari, MSNa,*, Nihaya AlSheyab, Sami Eid
Esra’a A. Al-Nusour,
Audai A. Hayajneh,
Abstract:
Abstract
Objectives: Diaper dermatitis (DD) is one of the most
common dermatological disorders in children.
Commonly used drugs for treatment have several adverse
effects; therefore, assessment of safe therapeutic strategies
is necessary. We, therefore, aimed at comparing the efficacy
of argan spinosa oil and 1% hydrocortisone ointment
on DD healing.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in
Jordan on children 2 years old or younger with mild to
severe DD. Initially, 73 participants were enrolled in the
argan spinosa oil group, and 74 participants were enrolled in the 1% hydrocortisone ointment group. Participants
were assigned to groups randomly after the
baseline measurement of DD. Healing was measured on a
5-point scale on days 1, 3, and 7, through home visits.
Data were analyzed with Fisher?s exact test, the Mann
eWhitney U test, and generalized estimating equation
(GEE) models in SPSS version 25 software, with a significance
level of p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 147 enrolled children, 140 completed the
study. A significant decrease in the DD grades was
observed in both groups. After the exclusion of confounding
factors, the GEE models revealed that children
treated with argan spinosa oil were approximately 0.25
times less likely to have severe DD grades and to show
faster improvement than children treated with 1% hydrocortisone
(p < 0.025). Multiple logistic regression on
the baseline data revealed that the use of barrier cream
(OR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.72; p ? 0.004) and a frequency
of bathing one or fewer times per week (OR: 1.15; 95%
CI: 0.65, 2.10; p ? 0.002) predicted DD occurrence.
Conclusion: Argan spinosa oil is more effective than 1%
hydrocortisone in healing DD and might be used as a
complementary treatment. However, further clinical trials
on larger samples will be essential for confirming the results
and making a reliable judgment.