title: Effects of menthol and cold on histamine-induced itch and skin reactions in man.
abstract: The effects of cooling and topical application of menthol on histamine-induced itch, wheal and flare reactions of the left lower arm were investigated in a threefold cross-over design with 15 healthy male volunteers. Lowering skin temperature by cooling from 32.8 +/- 0.3 degrees C to 29.7 +/- 0.5 degrees C reduced itch intensity from 260 +/- 47 units to 55 +/- 12 units (visual analogue scale) and flare diameters from 39.0 +/- 2.0 mm to 30.2 +/- 1.8 mm; wheal reactions were not affected. A similar reduction in itch was found under menthol (42 +/- 14 units) although skin temperature was not decreased. These findings suggest a central inhibitory effect of cold sensitive A-delta fibre activation on itch.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bromm
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scharein
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Darsow
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ring
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008610:Menthol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008610:Menthol; D006632:Histamine