ABNORMAL INVIVO SKIN REACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH ATOPIC ECZEMA

According to clinical experience patients with atopic eczema are characterized by increased sensitivity of their skin. Four in vivo test models are presented, which can quantitatively differentiate patients with atopic eczema and controls using the parameters itching, skin surface lipids, skin dryness, barriere function and UV sensitivity. Compared to controls the patients reacted in the following way: They noticed the beginning of itching induced by the application of a DMSO/histamine-mixture after a significant shorter time period and had non-significantly lowered skin surface lipids. Their transepidermal water loss was significantly higher and their values obtained by the Corneometer CM 820 were significantly lower only on skin irritated by sodium lauryl sulfate, not on an untreated area. Due to a wide variation no differentiation was possible using the hydrometer Skicon. The increase of cutaneous blood flow after UVB-radiation was higher in patients than in controls. The difficulties of clinical test models are discussed.