Korean J Dermatol.  2000 Mar;38(3):344-351.

Evaluation of Subjective Irritation Using the Lactic Acid Sting Test in Atopic Dermatitis

• Yang JE
• Kim CW
• Kim HO

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Subjective or sensory irritation is defined as the experience of various neurosensory discomforts such as stinging, burning and an itching sensation after using certain cosmetics and skin care products. It is unaccompanied by signs of inflammation, such as erythema, scales and edema. Subjective irritation was commonly seen in atopic dermatitis. But few studies pointed out this subject yet.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subjective irritation in atopic dermatitis.
METHODS
In 40 fealty volunteers, (20 atopic dermatitis patients and 20 controls), we assessed subjective irritation using the lactic acid sting test. We divided the subjects into what we called stingers and non-stingers by the lactic acid sting test. To compare the two groups and to determine correlations with the lactic acid sting test, medical histories regarding stinging, DMSO testing and SLS irritation testing were undertaken.
RESULTS
The results are summarized as follows: 1. A history of previous subjective sensation was significantly more common in stingers than in non-stingers (p<0.05). 2. The lactic acid stinging score and the history of subjective sensation were higher in the atopy group than in the control group. 3. There was no difference between the atopy group and the control group in the DMSO test results. There was no correlation between the results of the lactic acid sting test and the DMSO test. 4. Baseline TEWL was higher in the atopy group than in the control group. There was no difference in the (delta)TEWL between the two groups. 5. There was a high correlation between the lactic acid stinging score and the baseline TEWL in the control group (p<0.05). However in the atopy group, there was no such correlation.
CONCLUSION
A history of previous subjective sensation and stinging were more common in the atopy group than in the control group. There was a high correlation between the lactic acid stinging score and baseline TEWL in the control group, but in the atopy group there was no such correlation. There seem to be other important factors leading to the development of subjective irritation in the atopy group, such as higher density of the cutaneous nerve fibers.

Keyword

Subjective irritation; Lactic acid sting test; Atopic dermatitis

MeSH Terms

Bites and Stings*
Burns
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Edema
Erythema
Humans
Inflammation
Lactic Acid*
Nerve Fibers
Pruritus
Sensation
Skin Care
Volunteers
Weights and Measures
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Lactic Acid