Scalp stratum corneum histamine levels: novel sampling method reveals association with itch resolution in dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis treatment.

Abstract

Dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis are accompanied by bothersome itch. We have established a novel non-invasive methodology to sample histamine levels in the stratum corneum in order to facilitate an understanding of pruritogenesis in this condition. Histamine levels were assessed in two groups of subjects with dandruff before and after 3 weeks of treatment with a commercial potentiated zinc pyrithione shampoo. A comparative population without dandruff was also studied. Itch self-perception was quantified on a visual analogue scale. The histamine level in subjects with dandruff was more than twice that in those who did not have dandruff. Under conditions known to resolve flaking symptoms, the shampoo led to a reduction in histamine in subjects with dandruff to a level that was statistically indistinguishable from those who did not have dandruff. This reduction in histamine was accompanied by a highly significant reduction in the perception of itch intensity. These findings suggest an association between the subjective perception of itch in the scalp and the level of histamine in the skin.

• Authors: Kathy Kerr, James R Schwartz, Thomas Filloon, Angela Fieno, Ken Wehmeyer, Jacek C Szepietowski, Kevin J Mills
• Journal: Acta dermato-venereologica (Acta Derm Venereol) Vol. 91 Issue 4 Pg. 404-8 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 1651-2057 [Electronic] Sweden
• PMID: 21336476 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antipruritics
• Biomarkers
• Hair Preparations
• Keratolytic Agents
• Organometallic Compounds
• Pyridines
• Histamine
• pyrithione zinc

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Antipruritics (administration & dosage)
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Dermatitis, Seborrheic (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Double-Blind Method
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Hair Preparations (administration & dosage)
• Histamine (metabolism)
• Humans
• Keratolytic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Organometallic Compounds (administration & dosage)
• Pruritus (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Pyridines (administration & dosage)
• Scalp
• Scalp Dermatoses (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Skin (drug effects, metabolism)
• Specimen Handling
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Tandem Mass Spectrometry
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome