The effect of combined topical steroids and habit-reversal treatment in patients with atopic dermatitis.

A modified behavioural method called habit-reversal, in combination with potent and weak corticosteroid cream, was compared with the use of the creams alone in the treatment of 45 patients with atopic dermatitis. The patients were randomly assigned to four groups, which received two different cream regimes in combination with the habit-reversal treatment. The patients' skin was assessed before, during and after treatment, and they recorded the amount of scratching during the study. The skin condition improved in all groups, but to a significantly greater degree in the habit-reversal groups. A strong correlation was found between the reduction in scratching and the improvement in skin status.