Improvement in Atopic Dermatitis Using a Novel Topical 2% Cannabidiol (CBD) Application
ABSTRACT Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by Th2‐type inflammation, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Patients often experience dryness, severe itching, and skin lesions, necessitating interventions to manage discomfort and flare‐ups. Common treatments, such as topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, are effective but have adverse effects, making them unsuitable for long‐term use. Consequently, there is an ongoing effort to find sustainable and safe alternative treatments. Recently, cannabidiol (CBD), a non‐psychoactive compound derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, has gained attention in dermatology for its anti‐inflammatory properties. Methods This pilot study utilized a 4‐week open‐label observational prospective cohort design to evaluate the effects of a 2% CBD cream‐based topical application in patients ( n = 19) with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis. Participants were given the topical CBD product to apply daily to affected areas and were examined at baseline, week 1, week 2, week 4, and week 8. Primary outcomes measured included the appearance of eczema lesions and patient satisfaction with the treatment. Results Participants reported improvements in skin hydration, comfort, inflammation relief, and overall skin appearance. Various objective evaluations and clinical photography were consistent with patient reported improvement. Conclusions These results support the potential of CBD as a sustainable and effective treatment option for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.
Authors
- David J. Goldberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8950-439X)
- Sarah Adel Hakim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0630-115X)
- John Papastergiou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5475-0929)
- Sanjeev Goel
Institutions
- University of Waterloo (CA)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Schweiger Dermatology Group (United States) (US)
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Dermatological Reviews
- Published
- 2025-03-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/der2.70024
- Primary Topic
- Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00