title: Sensitive skin in Brazil and Russia: an epidemiological and comparative approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sensitive skin is characterized by the occurrence of sensations of tingling, prickling, heat, burning, pain or itching and, on occasion, erythema, in response to multiple physical, chemical or hormonal factors that do not have irritant properties by themselves.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We chose here to evaluate sensitive skin in two countries with very different populations, climates and lifestyles: Russia and Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Representative nationwide samples of the Russian and Brazilian populations aged 15 and over were selected. The same methodology was used: the individuals were questioned by telephone and selected as per the quotas method (sex, age, householder profession, rural/urban location and region).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the Brazilian population, 22.3% versus 45.7%, in favour of women, reported having a "sensitive" skin. Significant differences were only observed by geographic residence. In the Russian population, 25.4% versus 50.1%, in favour of women, reported having a "sensitive" skin. Significant differences were observed in skin sensitivity according to social-professional categories, region of residence and subject age. The same results were found in both populations for sensitivity to cosmetics and food intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respondents with rather sensitive or very sensitive skin are 2 or 3 times more reactive to climatic, environmental factors, cosmetics and food intake.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, Santé publique, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taieb
authors.affiliation: Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, Santé publique, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Auges
authors.affiliation: Eau Thermale Avène. France.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Georgescu
authors.affiliation: Eau Thermale Avène. France.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perez Cullell
authors.affiliation: Université de Brest, faculté de médecine, laboratoire de neurobiologie cutanée, Brest, France, Centre hospitalier et universitaire de Brest, service de dermatologie, Brest, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miséry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002980:Climate; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012426:Russia; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brazil; Russia; epidemiology; itch; sensitive skin