Efficacy of topical application of human breast milk on atopic eczema healing among infants: a randomized clinical trial

Infant atopic eczema is an inflammatory lesion usually involving the epidermis of the skin. About 50% of infants are affected by this lesion in the first years of their lives. Studies show human breast milk (HBM) as a preventive measure and effective treatment of some sores and infections. This article evaluates the short-term efficacy of HBM versus hydrocortisone 1% ointment in infants with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD). We conducted a randomized clinical trial among infants with diagnosed AD within a pediatrics unit. The majority of AD cases in both groups were considered moderate severity. There were no significant differences between these two groups at days 0, 7, 14, and 21, and the interventions of both groups were found to have the same effects. The external validity and consequently the ability to generalize the findings may be diminished as this study was conducted in a single site. Owing to HBM and the hydrocortisone 1% ointment providing the same results in the healing of AD, HBM was used because of low cost and accessibility.