Evaluation of the efficiency of local application of bee products in the care of diaper dermatitis in infants

This study investigated the efficacy of local application of bee products in the care of diaper dermatitis in infants. The study adopted a single-blind, parallel-group, pretest-posttest repeated measures randomized controlled experimental design. The study was conducted between July and November 2023 at three Family Health Centers and the pediatric outpatient clinic of a state hospital in the district of a province in the Mediterranean region with a total of 93 infants aged 1-6 months with mild diaper dermatitis. The study consisted of three groups: barrier cream one, consisting of a mixture of olive oil, propolis, beeswax, queen bee larvae, and plant oil, and barrier cream two, containing zinc oxide. Data collected using a Parent-Infant Descriptive Information Form, Scale for Assessing the Severity of Uncomplicated Diaper Dermatitis in Infants, Olive Oil-Barrier Cream 1 and Barrier Cream 2 Group Observation Form and Satisfaction Level Scale for Diaper Dermatitis Care Practices. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 and SAS 9.4. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, analysis of variance, paired sample t-test, Bonferroni corrected test, Cohen's Kappa analysis, and the Generalized Prediction Equation logistic regression model. The barrier cream 1 group had lower diaper dermatitis severity mean scores on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days than the barrier cream 2 and olive oil groups. Barrier cream 1 group had a significantly lower mean diaper dermatitis severity score on the 2nd day than the other groups and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p=0.0122). The results showed that compared to olive oil, barrier cream 1 was found to be 2.54 times, and barrier cream 2 was 1.43 times more effective in healing (p<0.005). In conclusion, barrier cream 1, a mixture of propolis, beeswax, queen bee larvae and plant oil, is more effective in the care of mild diaper dermatitis.