Skin surface pH, stratum corneum hydration, trans-epidermal water loss and skin roughness related to atopic eczema and skin dryness in a population of primary school children.
Non-invasive investigations of skin morphology and function are standard tools to study the pathophysiology of several cutaneous disorders, yet they have not been used in population-based epidemiological studies. Here we examined skin surface pH, stratum corneum hydration, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin roughness by profilometry in a study population comprising 377 primary school children (8-9 years old) as part of a multicentre survey on risk factors for allergic diseases in school children. Skin surface pH showed significant higher values (p=0.029) in the group with atopic eczema (n=45) compared with the group without atopic eczema; all other parameters did not differ significantly between children with and without atopic eczema. With increasing skin dryness there was a significant increase in pH values (p=0.004). Stratum corneum hydration showed a significant decrease with increasing dryness (p<0.001). Measurement of skin roughness also revealed a significant linear relationship with skin dryness (p=0.02). It is concluded that measurement of skin surface pH, corneometry and profilometry are useful non-invasive techniques to objectively assess skin dryness in epidemiological studies regarding atopic skin disease.
Eberlein-König
B
B
Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University, Munich, Germany. Eberlein-Koenig@lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Schäfer
T
T
Huss-Marp
J
J
Darsow
U
U
Möhrenschlager
M
M
Herbert
O
O
Abeck
D
D
Krämer
U
U
Behrendt
H
H
Ring
J
J
D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible