Open AccessWater, salts and skin barrier of normal skin
Author(s) -
Yoshizawa Yusuke,
Kitamura Keijiro,
Kawana Seiji,
Maibach Howard I.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0846.2003.00346.x
Subject(s) - irritation , transepidermal water loss , atopic dermatitis , stratum corneum , sodium , seawater , mineral water , dermatology , chemistry , potassium , dry skin , contact dermatitis , skin irritation , allergy , medicine , metallurgy , pathology , materials science , immunology , oceanography , organic chemistry , geology
Background: We recently reported that open application of seawater for 20 min ameliorated experimental irritant contact dermatitis induced by sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) cumulative irritation. The efficacy was overall contributed by 500 m m of sodium chloride (NaCI) and 10 m m of potassium chloride (KCl), which are consistent with the each concentration in seawater. Although the usefulness of mineral water with 500 m m NaCl and 10 m m KCl to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) or irritated skin was considered, seawater or its components would induce a feel of stinging in patients with AD. Furthermore, 20 min application was thought to be too long to use everyday as a treatment. Objective: We report the effects of 3 types of mineral water with NaCl and KCl to check the further efficacy with lesser stinging by 2 min application. Results: A mineral water with 250 m m NaCl and 50 m m KCl was the most effective water to prevent disruption of skin barrier and stratum corneum water content after cumulating irritation by SLS. Moreover, improvement of skin dryness and pruritus were shown 2 weeks after the application of the mineral water to a 6‐year‐old boy with atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: Our results suggested the possible usefulness of the mineral water with 250 m m NaCl and 50 m m KCl as the therapy of atopic dermatitis of other chronic dermatitis. Although the mineral water would not cure those skin diseases, it could be an adjunctive therapy. Further controlled clinical trials with evaluation by TEWL and capacitance are required to declare the efficacy of the mineral water in the treatment of patients with AD or other chronic dermatitis.