Fast itch relief in an experimental model for methylprednisolone aceponate topical corticosteroid activity, based on allergic contact eczema to nickel sulphate

Biophysical and ultrasonographic changes of acute Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis skin lesions in comparison with uninvolved skin: A possible tool for non-invasive early detection and treatment outcome assessment

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a skin disease caused by intracellular protozoa, which is endemic in Iran. The goal of this study was to compare biophysical characteristics in CL lesions with uninvolved skin.

METHODS

Stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss, surface friction, pH, sebum, melanin, erythema, temperature, elasticity parameters (R0, R2, and R5), thickness and echo-density of epidermis and dermis were measured on the active erythematous indurated part of a typical CL lesion in 20 patients, and compared with the same location on the other side of the body as control. Paired t- test was used for statistical analyses and a P<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Melanin content, R2 and echo-density of dermis were significantly lower, whereas transepidermal water loss, friction index, pH, erythema index, temperature and the thickness of dermis were significantly higher in CL lesions. There was no significant difference in stratum corneum hydration, sebum, R0, R5, thickness of epidermis and density of epidermis between CL and normal skin.

CONCLUSIONS

CL lesions are characterized by certain changes in biophysical and ultrasonographic properties, which are mostly correlated with histological features. These changes are likely to be useful in the non-invasive early detection of CL and also as treatment outcome measures for clinical trials of new treatment modalities for CL in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Epicutaneous Patch Testing in Type IV Allergy Diagnostics: State of the Art and Best Practice Recommendations

This chapter summarises all relevant aspects of patch testing, closely following recommendations outlined in a recent European, and a German S3 guideline on diagnostic patch testing with contact allergens and medicinal products (drugs). Patch testing is indicated in patients suspected of suffering, or having been suffering, from delayed-type hypersensitivity leading to allergic contact dermatitis or other skin and mucosal diseases. Sections of this chapter include detailed indications, reasons for possibly postponing the test, considerations on choosing haptens (contact allergens) to test, various aspects of the application of patch test allergen preparations (storage, dosing) and of testing with individual materials provided by the patients. Special aspects of patch testing in cutaneous adverse drug reactions, children, or occupational contact dermatitis are outlined. Supplemental test methods, notably the repeated open application test, are briefly described. Finally, the final evaluation in terms of assessment of clinical relevance of reactions and patient counselling are outlined.

Biophysical and ultrasonographic changes in pityriasis rosea compared with uninvolved skin

BACKGROUND

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common, self-limited, inflammatory papulosquamous skin disease with a possible viral etiology.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to evaluate skin biophysical properties in patients with PR compared with uninvolved skin to better understand the pathogenesis of PR.

METHODS

Stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss, surface friction, pH, sebum, melanin, erythema, temperature, elasticity parameters (R0, R2, R5), thickness, and echodensity of the epidermis and dermis were measured on lesions of classic PR in 21 patients and compared with control sites (average of uninvolved perilesional and symmetrical skin) with a paired t test.

RESULTS

Stratum corneum hydration (p < .001), R0 (p = .003), R2 (p = .001), R5 (p = .003), and echodensity of the dermis (p = .006) were significantly lower, whereas transepidermal water loss (p = .001), pH (p < .001), and erythema (p < .001) were significantly higher in PR lesions. There was no significant difference in friction index, sebum, melanin content, temperature, thickness of the epidermis and dermis, and echodensity of the epidermis between PR and normal skin.

CONCLUSION

PR skin is characterized by certain alterations in biophysical properties, which are mostly correlated with histologic changes. These changes may be helpful in early, noninvasive diagnosis of PR.

Biophysical and ultrasonographic changes in lichen planus compared with uninvolved skin

BACKGROUND

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. Currently, noninvasive techniques are used to evaluate biophysical properties of the skin in vivo.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to evaluate skin biophysical properties in patients with LP and make a comparison between involved and uninvolved skin to provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of LP.

METHODS

The stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss, pH, erythema, melanin, sebum, friction, temperature, elasticity parameters (R0, R2, R5), and thickness and echo-density of the epidermis, dermis, and subepidermal low echogenic band were measured on lesions of classic LP in 21 patients and compared with the average of perilesional and symmetrical uninvolved skin (as control) with a paired t test.

RESULTS

Stratum corneum hydration (p = .002), sebum (p = .04), R0 (p = .005), and echo-density of the dermis (p = .005) were significantly lower, but pH (p = .007), melanin content (p < .001), erythema (p < .001), temperature (p = .01), thickness of dermis (p = .02), and subepidermal low echogenic band (p < .001) were significantly higher in LP lesions.

CONCLUSION

An evaluation of its biophysical, biomechanical, and ultrasonographic characteristics showed that the skin is an objective, noninvasive, and quantitative measuring tool that can be used to provide valuable information about skin changes in classic LP.

Biophysical Measurements and Ultrasonographic Findings in Chronic Dermatitis in Comparison with Uninvolved Skin

Background:

Nowadays noninvasive techniques are performed to evaluate the biophysical properties of skin in vivo.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biophysical and ultrasonographic properties of skin in chronic contact or atopic dermatitis to provide better insight into pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment response.

Materials and Methods:

The stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pH, erythema, melanin, sebum, friction, temperature, elasticity parameters (R0, R2, and R5), the thickness and echo-density of epidermis, dermis, and subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) were measured on lesional, perilesional, and symmetrical skin of 22 chronic dermatitis patients. The average of perilesional and symmetrical skin values (control) was compared with lesional values.

Results:

Stratum corneum hydration (P<0.001), friction (P=0.02), sebum (P=0.01), and R0 (P<0.001) were significantly lower in lesion, TEWL (P=0.03), pH (P=0.001), erythema (P=0.004), and temperature (P=0.04) were significantly higher in lesion. The thickness of epidermis (P=0.002), dermis (P=0.034), and SLEB (P<0.001) were significantly higher in lesion; and the echo-density of dermis (P<0.001) and SLEB (P<0.001) was significantly lower in lesion.

Conclusion:

Chronic contact and atopic dermatitis are characterized by certain changes in biophysical and biomechanical properties of the skin. The evaluation of these parameters might be useful in the early diagnosis and assessment of treatment response.

European Society of Contact Dermatitis guideline for diagnostic patch testing - recommendations on best practice

The present guideline summarizes all aspects of patch testing for the diagnosis of contact allergy in patients suspected of suffering, or having been suffering, from allergic contact dermatitis or other delayed-type hypersensitivity skin and mucosal conditions. Sections with brief descriptions and discussions of different pertinent topics are followed by a highlighted short practical recommendation. Topics comprise, after an introduction with important definitions, materials, technique, modifications of epicutaneous testing, individual factors influencing the patch test outcome or necessitating special considerations, children, patients with occupational contact dermatitis and drug eruptions as special groups, patch testing of materials brought in by the patient, adverse effects of patch testing, and the final evaluation and patient counselling based on this judgement. Finally, short reference is made to aspects of (continuing) medical education and to electronic collection of data for epidemiological surveillance.