title: Symptomatic dermographism: wealing, mast cells and histamine are decreased in the skin following long-term application of a potent topical corticosteroid.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas's Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Greaves
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006632:Histamine; D001623:Betamethasone; D002990:Clobetasol