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An animal model for altering the irritability threshold of normal skin *
Author(s) -
Roper Susan S.,
Jones Henry E.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1985.tb02511.x
Subject(s) - irritation , erythema , irritant contact dermatitis , dermatology , contact dermatitis , medicine , skin irritation , allergy , immunology
Theory behind conditioned hyperirritability (autoeczematization) predicts the lowering of the irritation threshold in the presence of a pre‐existing dermatitis. We have attempted to develop an animal model that parallels the syndrome seen in num. Groups of 10 guinea pigs were shaved and depilated; irritation thresholds to benzlkonium chloride und trichloroacetic acid were determined using I cm diameter open patches. Reactions were scored 24 h later on the basis of erythema and induration. Animals having as little as 1.56 cm 2 of skin acutely inflamed with a known irritant had lowered irritation thresholds lo the same irritant on normal skin at remote sites ( P <0.01). Mild irritation of a much larger surface area produced the same effect ( p <0.01). More extensive, severe dermatitis did not lower the irritation threshold further Acute dermatitis induced by a contact allergen (DNCB) lowered the irritation threshold of normal skin to the same level as that obtained with irritants ( p <0.01) Induction of chronic cutaneous ulcers 3–4 cm in diameter lowered the irritation threshold of normal skin to the same point defined by the acute studies ( p 0.01), These results indicate that an acute irritant or contact dermatitis. as well as chronic skin ulceration. may alter the reactivity of unaffected normal skin to exhibit; i heightened response to irritation. This model appears lo differ from that seen in humans, in that it more extensive or chronic dermatitis did not further heighten the susecptibility to irritation.