title: Transepidermal water loss and absorption of hydrocortisone in widespread dermatitis.
abstract: Percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone was measured in three children and six adults with widespread dermatitis, after the application of 1% hydrocortisone cream. Before application of the cream, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured on six skin areas. A highly significant correlation was found between the post-application rise in plasma cortisol level and the mean transepidermal water loss. Thus, measurement of TEWL affords a simple, non-invasive method for assessing the systemic effect of hydrocortisone applied to widespread dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Skin and Allergic Diseases, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aalto-Korte
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turpeinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone