Open AccessErythema-inducing effects of solvents following epicutaneous administration to man--studied by laser Doppler flowmetry.
Author(s) -
Jan E. Wahlberg
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.621
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.2351
Subject(s) - laser doppler velocimetry , erythema , chemistry , dimethyl sulfoxide , edema , contact dermatitis , trichloroethylene , irritation , carbon tetrachloride , chromatography , blood flow , dermatology , organic chemistry , surgery , medicine , allergy , immunology
Skin exposure to solvents can cause erythema, edema, scaling, and, eventually, irritant contact dermatitis. The irritant potential of chemicals is usually assessed by visual scoring, but in recent years a more objective measuring technique, laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), has been introduced for the assessment of erythema. The method is noninvasive and allows continuous recording. In the present study 11 solvents were applied for 5 min or less to the volar forearms of a man and the kinetics of the response is shown. For seven solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide, trichloroethylene, n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane) an increase was found over the pretreatment values, whereas four solvents (methyl ethyl ketone, ethanol, propylene glycol, distilled water) did not influence blood flow. The findings are discussed in relation to the macroscopic picture (whitening and erythema) and in relation to previous studies of the edema-inducing effects of the same solvents on man and experimental animals. It is concluded that LDF is well worth trying in cases of marginal irritancy and for predictive testing, since it seems to be more sensitive and reliable than the naked eye.