Of 60 patients with atopic dermatitis (30 males and 30 females, 15–30 years old) 30 were treated with γ-linolenic acid of (C18:3 n-6) at a dosage of 274 mg twice a day; the other 30 patients were given placebo. The patients were treated for 12 weeks, during which their symptoms were assessed on a linear scale both by a dermatologist and by themselves every 4 weeks. The patients who received γ-linolenic acid, showed gradual improvements in pruritus, erythema, vesiculation and oozing, which were statistically significant compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Only one patient had presented with scaling at the beginning of the study and this symptom appeared to be less influenced by the effects of γ-linolenic acid. The assessments of symptoms made by the dermatologist were generally consistent with those made by the patients themselves, γ-linolenic acid was found to be effective and without side-effects for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.