Objective: To discuss the curative efficacy of modified Xiaoyi Zhiyang decoction in treating childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) and to investigate its influence on levels of peripheral blood interleukin IL-2

IL-4

IL-17 and interferon-γ. Method: Ninety patients with AD were randomly divided into the control group(45 cases) and the observation group (45 cases) by a random number table. Patients in the control group received mometasone furoate cream twice daily and once daily when the skin lesion was controlled

10 mL levocetirizine oral liquid for children older than 6 years and 5 mL for children 4 to 5 years old once daily. Based on the treatment of the control group

patients in the observation group added modified Xiaoyi Zhiyang decoction. All patients in the two groups received 3 months of treatment. Before and after treatment

scores of quality of life index scale (DLQI) of SCORAD and skin disease were graded. Levels of IL-2

IL-4

IL-17 and IFN-γ were detected. Result: The curative efficacy in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment

scores of scope of skin lesions (A)

lesion severity (B) and itch and sleeping degree (C) and the total scores of SCORAD in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). Score of DLQI was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). Levels of IL-4 and IL-17 were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01)

while levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Xiaoyi Zhiyang decoction could improve the subjective and the objective symptoms

signs

enhance quality of life in AD patients with child's stage. Its curative effect is superior to using Western medicine treatment alone and the mechanism may be related to regulating Th1/Th2 and IL-17 cytokines. The therapy deserves to further study.