Abstract
Background Xiaotong Tiegao (XTT) is an ancient topical Tibetan medicine plaster which is widely used in China. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) caused by XTT is very common. It is still unclear why some people are more prone to develop ICD. The aim of this study is to study the baseline skin biophysical parameters and patch test results in individuals predisposing to XTT induced ICD. Methods During a four-month period, 149 healthy volunteers with ICD and 50 volunteers without ICD after applying XTT were recruited. The skin biophysical parameters were measured, and contact allergy to 20 common allergens was patch tested, at two weeks after the ICD was recovered. Results There were no significant differences in age and sex between ICD and control groups. It was found that skin median melanin value (176.50 vs 189.50, P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test) and erythema value (319.90 ± 70.49 vs 347.93 ± 84.55, P < 0.05, Independent-Samples T test) were much lower in ICD than control group. Overall patch test results were not different, but the positivity rate of nickel sulfate (15.44% vs 4.00%, P < 0.05, Fisher's exact test) was significantly higher in ICD group. Conclusions In conclusion, people with nickel allergy, lower values of skin melanin, and erythema are predisposing to develop ICD.
Highlights
Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a nonimmunologic skin reaction
Because the skin reaction caused by Xiaotong Tiegao (XTT) can be reduced or completely avoided by shortening the applying time and, in patients with skin reactions, XTT can be reused without any new reaction several days later when the dermatitis disappeared, the dermatitis caused by XTT is ICD [4]
Based on the clinical manifestations and provocation testing results, the skin reaction caused by XTT is considered as ICD
Summary
Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a nonimmunologic skin reaction. Xiaotong Tiegao (XTT) is an ancient topical Tibetan medicine plaster which is widely used in China for the treatment of various painful conditions such as torsion, bruising, rheumatoid arthritis, and scapulohumeral periarthritis to relieve pain. It will be very useful to predict who may develop ICD before applying XTT It is still unknown why some people are more predisposing to develop ICD under the same condition. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) caused by XTT is very common. It is still unclear why some people are more prone to develop ICD. The aim of this study is to study the baseline skin biophysical parameters and patch test results in individuals predisposing to XTT induced ICD. The skin biophysical parameters were measured, and contact allergy to 20 common allergens was patch tested, at two weeks after the ICD was recovered. People with nickel allergy, lower values of skin melanin, and erythema are predisposing to develop ICD
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