The aim of the study was to monitor the impact of local application of prednicarbat (Dermatop, Hoechst-Biotika) and oral administration of cetirizin (Zyrtec, UCB) on the development of the acute stage of atopic eczema (AE) or acute exacerbation of the chronic form of AE in two groups of patients. Effectiveness and safety of both preparations were being evaluated in 80 children undergoing an outpatient treatment. In the first group, only prednicarbat cream was applied to affected places twice a day for a maximum of 10 days, while in the other group also cetirizin was administered once a day in a dosage according to the patient’s age. On the treated places, erythema, infiltrate and excoriation were evaluated with respect to the intensity of manifestation. The results of the study show favourable effects of both preparations on AE development, already during the first days of the therapy. In both groups there was a complete remission of the monitored symptoms in more than 80 per cent of the patients. There was no deterioration of the disease in any patient, and no cases of adverse reactions were registered.

        Key words: prednicarbat – cetirizin dihydrochloride – atopic eczema