Symptomatic dermographism: wealing, mast cells and histamine are decreased in the skin following long-term application of a potent topical corticosteroid.
Author(s): Lawlor F, Black AK, Murdoch RD, Greaves MW
Affiliation(s): Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas's Hospital, London, U.K.
Publication date & source: 1989-11, Br J Dermatol., 121(5):629-34.
Clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment and an otherwise identical steroid-free base were applied topically to a 10 cm2 area on the anterior thighs of six patients with symptomatic dermographism for 6 weeks. Four patients showed a significantly decreased wealing response to stroking of steroid pretreated skin compared to that of control sites. There was a parallel decrease in mast cell numbers and histamine levels in skin biopsies taken from the steroid treated areas. At 6 weeks two patients demonstrated a decrease in flare areas following the intradermal injection of compound 48/80 in steroid pretreated skin compared to base treated sites. Flare areas following intradermal injection of histamine in these two patients were equivalent in base and steroid treated skin.
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