Background:Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin disease in young children, clinically characterized by pruritus and skin rashes. Epidemiological studies have reported that AD affects 5–30% of children and 1-10% of adults worldwide. In recent years, the use of mineral waters for the treatment of chronic skin conditions has become increasingly popular globally. Although mineral waters, particularly from Shargaljuut springs, have been traditionally used in Mongolia for various dermatological conditions, no studies have been conducted on their use in atopic dermatitis, providing the rationale for this study

Aim:To evaluate the result of Shargaljuut mineral spray on disease severity, pruritus intensity, and selected physiological parameters of the skin in children with atopic dermatitis.

Materials and Methods:This clinical trial study with a placebo-controlled group included children aged 2-16 years with AD. The participants were treated with Shargaljuut spray and the clinical assessment was conducted before and after the treatment, evaluating severity using SCORAD (Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis), itching intensity using VAS (Visual Analog Scale), skin hydration (SCH) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Results:Among all participants, 81.7% (n=49) had mild atopic dermatitis based on SCORAD scores, and 18.3% (n=11) had moderate severity. According to the VAS scores, 40% (n=24) of the participants reported mild pruritus. Skin hydration was found to be severely decreased in 96.7% (n=58) of the cases, while TEWL values were within normal limits in 76.7% (n=46). Statistically significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups at day 30 in terms of disease severity and pruritus intensity, as well as in certain skin physiological parameters (p=0.001, p=0.002). Within the experimental group, statistically significant differences were also detected in disease severity (p=0.001), pruritus intensity (p=0.002), skin hydration (p=0.002), and TEWL (p=0.001) between baseline, day 15, and day 30. A correlation was found between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration (r=0.566, p=0.0001).

Conclusions:1. Among the children with atopic dermatitis (AD) included in the study, 81.7% (n=49) had a mild severity score according to SCORAD, 40% (n=24) had mild itching intensity based on the VAS assessment, 96.7% (n=58) had excessively dry skin, and 76.7% (n=46) showed good transepidermal water loss (TEWL) levels. 2. In the experimental group, comparisons of disease severity, itching intensity, skin hydration, and TEWL levels before and after the use of the Shargaljuut spring water spray revealed that skin hydration increased, TEWL decreased, and both disease severity and itching intensity were reduced following treatment