title: Cutaneous sensitivity to ultraviolet light and chemical irritants.
abstract: This investigation examines the relationship between the sun sensitivity of human skin and its response to chemical irritants. Forty-four Caucasoid subjects with normal back skin were studied. The minimal erythema dose (MED) was determined with the sunburning spectrum of a high-pressure mercury lamp. Cutaneous irritability was quantified using a series of seven irritants of different chemical structure, solubility, and concentrations. The response was either expressed as a threshold value of exposure time (ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide) or was graded after a standard exposure in intensity of whealing (dimethyl sulphoxide) or erythema (sodium lauryl sulphate, quaternium 1, croton oil, kerosene). A significant correlation between the MED and the response to all seven primary irritants was found. The relationship was better for water-soluble irritants than for lipid-soluble ones. Despite marked individual variations the determination of the MED is suggested as a valuable tool in identifying hyperirritable skin. Skin typing based on complexion and sunburn history proved to be less reliable.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D064753:Ammonium Hydroxide; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D013471:Sunburn / Q000175:diagnosis; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; D064753:Ammonium Hydroxide; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide