Treatment of first-degree burns with andiroba oil emulsion: a prospective, comparative, double-blind study

Introduction: First-degree burns can cause intense pain and, in the medium- and long-term, sequelae. In a previous study, the authors found that an emulsion of andiroba oil and desonide-a low potency corticosteroid-were equivalent for relieving pain and improving erythema caused by intense pulsed light-based epilation. The andiroba oil emulsion is used for treating radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer,through local application, before and after radiotherapy. Objective: To confirm the previous study's results and evaluate whether a pre-procedure program of preparation and prevention provides any benefit. Methods: A prospective, comparative, double-blind study was carried out with 33 patients, who blindly used andiroba oil emulsion and a humectant in the axillae (each product was applied on one side) before the epilation procedure. Epilation was performed using intense pulsed light, with parameters according to the skin phototype of the patients. After the procedure, the andiroba oil emulsion was applied on the side that had been prepared with the emulsion itself, while the desonide was applied on the contralateral axilla. Patients assessed pain intensity according to a visual analogue scale, and a dermatologist assessed the erythema using a modified scale, at several experimental time points. Results: Pain and erythema were less intense in the side prepared with the andiroba oil emulsion. The efficacy of both treatments proved to be equivalent. Conclusions: Thee fficacy and safety of the andiroba oil-based emulsion, as well as its protective effect on the skin in the pre-treatment preparation program, were confirmed in clinical use.

Keywords: BURNS; HAIR REMOVAL; GLUCOCORTICOIDS; WETTING AGENTS.