Assessment of the Effects on Barrier Impairment, Clinical Features and Bacterial Colonization of Topical Formulations in Patients With Atopic Eczema; a Phase IIa, Single-center, Randomized, Observer-blind Study

Inclusion Criteria: * signed written informed consent obtained; * male or female patients, 18 years or older; * manifest atopic eczema diagnosed according to Hanifin and Rajka; * two comparable lesional areas of 20 - 50 cm2 with a distance of at least 5 cm, clinical condition of atopic eczema mild to moderate (meeting Hanifin and Rajka´s criteria; * TEWL in the lesional areas at least 12 g/m²h, TEWL value differences ≤ 30 % are allowed between both lesional areas; * the physical examination must be without disease findings unless the investigator considers an abnormality to be irrelevant to the outcome of the study; * sexually active females of childbearing potential should either be surgically sterile hysterectomy or tubal ligation), or should use a medically accepted contraceptive regimen:systemic contraceptive (oral, implant, injection), diaphragm or cervical cap with intravaginal spermicide, intrauterine device (IUD), condom with intravaginal spermicide. Exclusion Criteria: * acne, eczema other than atopic eczema, hyper- or hypopigmentation or tattoos in the treatment areas; * suntan which in the opinion of the investigator prevents correct assessments * dark-skinned persons whose skin color prevents ready assessment of skin reactions; * evidence of drug or alcohol abuse; * pregnancy or nursing; * UV-therapy within 6 weeks before first treatment; * participation in another clinical study involving pharmaceutical products in the 28 days preceding or during the study; * …