Results The mean SASSAD score fell from 30 to 27 in the borage oil group and from 28 to 23 in the placebo group.The difference between the mean improvements in the two groups was 1.4 (95% confidence interval −2.2 to 5.0) points in favour of placebo (P=0.45).No significant differences occurred between treatment groups in the other assessments.Subset analysis of adults and children did not indicate any difference in response.The treatments were well tolerated. Conclusion linolenicacidisnotbeneficialinatopicdermatitis.