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The dynamic friction coefficient between skin and a Teflon probe and its correlation with age, body weight, height, transepidermal water loss and skin capacitance was studied in vulvar and forearm skin of 44 healthy female volunteers. The friction coefficient of vulvar skin was 0.66 ± 0.03 (mean ± SEM) compared to that of forearm skin of 0.48 ± 0.01. The difference was highly significant (p < 0.001). Multiple-regression analysis showed that the vulvar skin friction coefficient was significantly correlated with capacitance as an indicator of stratum corneum hydration (p < 0.01) but not with age weight height or transepidermal water loss. It is concluded that the high friction coefficient of vulvar skin may be due to the increased hydration of vulvar skin. Age-related differences seem to exist for transepidermal water loss and friction coefficient in forearm but not in vulvar skin.

No abstract

A 5-year retrospective study of the frequency of sensitization to the 25 allergens of the European standard series (ESS) was conducted in 10 centres in 8 European countries. Included were the results of 26 210 patients. The range in sensitivities differed moderately between the centres. Combining results of different centres and drawing conclusions on incidences can be done only with great care. The information on the ranking of the allergens and their sensitization incidence in the clinics are useful for decisions on the future composition of the standard series. The ESS is still a valid screening tool, and no substances should be deleted.

Allergic contact dermatitis due to nickel salts is common. It isexperiments, thus making comparisons across studies diYcult therefore important to measure the permeation of these salts(1). through the stratum corneum (SC ), the primary rate-limitingAs a well-known irritant and allergen, nickel causes both domain in skin. An advanced diVusion system and analytical immediate and delayed, speci c and non-speci c type allergy techniques now enable better measurement of the ux than was reactions following dermal exposure (2-4). The dermatotoxicpossible in earlier experiments. Human SC was prepared by ology of nickel compounds presents a major scienti c challenge trypsinization of dermatomed cadaver leg skin. The diVusion owing to the apparent paradoxes observed in its behavior in system included diVusion cells with a spiral line. Aqueous contact with the epidermis, so several signi cant issues await solutions of nickel salts (Ni(NO 3 ) 2 , NiSO 4 , NiCl 2 and resolution reconciled through appropriate experimentation. To Ni(Õ OOCCH3 ) 2 at 1% Ni2+ concentration) were used as the date, the most comprehensive study of skin permeation by donor solution (400 lL / cell ). The receptor uid, pure water, inorganic nickel salts was performed in vitro on full-thickness was collected up to 96 h after application of the donor solutions.skin (5). The present study focuses only on the permeation of Nickel concentrations in the donor and receptor uid, as well as nickel from various salts across the uppermost layer of the in the SC, were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC ). With the aid of sophistspectrometry (ICP-MS) with a con dence limit of 0.5 ppb.icated analytical methods such as inductively coupled plasma Based on the total recovery of nickel from the experiments, mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS ) (6, 7), it is now possible to about 98% of the dose remained in the donor solution, whereas accurately detect ultra-trace amounts of the metal in biological 1% or less was retained in SC and less than 1% was found in substrates, such as SC tissue or the donor and receptor phases the receptor uid. Following an early surge, nickel permeates from in vitro studies, yielding a suYciently accurate picture of slowly across SC. The steady-state permeability coeYcients of metal adsorption and absorption. nickel were calculated from the ux data (approximately This investigation was designed to clarify the eVect the 5.2-8.5´10Õ 7 cm / h) with no signi cant diVerence among the counter ions sulfate, chloride, nitrate and acetate may have salts. The results concur in principle with earlier studies conon in vitro diVusion of aqueous nickel solutions applied at a ducted using the full-thickness human skin in vitro, and suggest 1% nickel concentration level. We measured respective steadythat in vivo nickel ions may permeate simultaneously by routes state ux values under the most conclusive experimental of diVusion such as the shunt pathway, apart from slow transcelconditions possible. Using human SC separated b...

Worldwide, there are 3 major standard series of patch tests, the European, North American and Japanese, together presenting 32 allergens, the differences between them being the result of regional variation in allergen distribution as well as differences in dermatological opinion. We propose a "minimal" international standard series of 20 allergens, together with an "extended" international standard series of 14 allergens.

Although a common cause of allergic reactions, topically applied ophthalmic drugs and contact lens solutions are seldom verified as such. This review documents reported allergens and suggests an 'ophthalmic tray', based on the literature search, to simplify patch test verification. The criteria for literature selection were that each patient had a history of allergic reaction to local application of ophthalmic drugs or contact lens solutions, and tested positive to putative allergen patch tests. We established 38 chemicals causing allergic reactions. 5 authors published suggestions for patch test trays.

Irritant effects and disturbance of water-holding capacity induced by surfactants were investigated using the plastic occlusion stress test (POST) technique. 4 surfactants (sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sorbitan monolaurate, cocoamidopropyl betaine and benzalkonium chloride) and an amphoteric/nonionic (A/N) mix were investigated. 1 x daily for 3 days, test surfactants were applied to marked sites (open) on the volar forearm. After 24 h occlusion with a plastic chamber on the 4th day, skin surface water loss (SSWL) (g/m2h) was recorded continuously for 25 min with an evaporimeter. The differences between the surfactants were statistically significant (Friedman's test p less than 0.01). SLS and the A/N mix revealed significant differences compared to the other compounds (p less than 0.05), both in decay constants and in values recorded at the beginning and at the end of the decay curve. The study suggests a mechanism for the high irritant potential of sodium lauryl sulphate compared to other surfactants: sorbitan monolaurate and benzalkonium chloride seem to influence (at the concentrations tested) to a lesser extent the water-holding capacity of the stratum corneum. The clinical and biological relevance of these observations requires long-term clinical correlations with final product use tests.