The Inhibition of Frostbite Wheals by the Iontophoresis of Antihistaminic Agents.

Skin whealing associated with localized frostbite is a well recognized phenomenon and has been described in detail by Lewis and his co-workers (1, 2). Although no positive evidence of histamine liberation in frostbite has been advanced, it has been postulated that histamine or a histaminelike sulbstance is involved in the formation of these lesions (2). Recently. Frommel and Picquet have reported beneficial results from the antihistaminic drug, dimethylaminoethyl-ethylbenzylaniline hydrochloride (Antergan), in the treatment of frostbite in guinea pigs (3). The inhibition of histamine wheals by the oral or intradermal administration of beta-dimethylaminoethyl benzhydryl ether (Benadryl, Parke-Davis) and N'pyridil-N'benzyl-N'dimethylethylenediaminie hydrochloride (Pyribenzamine, Ciba) has been demonstrated conclusively (4-6). A similar inhibition can be achieved locally by the iontophoresis of Pyribenzamine (7). In an effort to gain additional information regarding the role of histamine in the pathogenesis of local frostbite, we have studied experimentally produced frostbite lesions before and after the iontophoretic administration of Benadryl and Pvrihenzamine. The results obtained are presented in this paper.