BACKGROUND Ethyl-chloride (EC) spray was recently shown to be an effective antipruritic agent, when given 15 min after histamine skin-prick test (SPT), without changing the wheal and flare reaction. We aimed to investigate the antipruritic effect of EC on SPT, when given prior to SPT. METHODS A double-blind placebo-controlled prospective study. Overall, 44 volunteers underwent histamine SPT o...

Endothelin B receptor agonists exert antipruritic effects on itching induced via endothelin-1 (ET-1) and compound 48/80. Peripheral µ- and κ-opioid receptors (MORs and KORs, respectively) are reported to be involved in the anti-nociceptive properties triggered by ET(B) agonists. Therefore, we investigated the role of peripheral opioid receptors in the scratching response induced by ET-1. ET(A) ...

Substance P (SP) is a member of the tachykinin peptide family. Hemokinin-1 (HK-1) was recently identified as a new mammalian tachykinin peptide. SP and HK-1 consist of undecapeptides and share a common carboxyl-terminal (C-terminal), Phe-Xaa-Gly-Leu-Met-amide motif, and more varied amino-terminals (N-terminal). The function of SP in the pain system of the spinal cord has been examined in detail...

Globally, scabies affects more than 130 million people at any time. In the developed world, outbreaks in health institutions and vulnerable communities result in a significant economic burden. A review of the literature demonstrates the emergence of resistance toward classical scabicidal treatments and the lack of effectiveness of currently available scabicides in reducing the inflammatory skin...

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibition is a well-known anti-inflammatory mechanism, but the development of PDE4 inhibitors has been hampered by side effects such as nausea and emesis. Local delivery of a PDE4 inhibitor to the site of inflammation may overcome these issues. The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic potential of E6005 (methyl 4-[({3-[6,7-dimethoxy-2-(methylamino)quina...

Case report We present three cases of previously healthy adult patients diagnosed with varicella in December 2012 with uncommon onsets, but with mild evolution of the disease. Patient 1: female, age 45, had an atypical onset with very few vesicles only one on the trunk, and then on the head after five days, but with inflammatory occipital lymph nodes. From day 6, our patient had typical dermato...

The prevalence of allergic skin disorders has increased rapidly, and development of therapeutic agents to alleviate the symptoms are still needed. In this study, we orally or topically administered the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, tofacitinib and oclacitinib, in a mouse model of dermatitis, and compared the efficacy to reduce the itch and inflammatory response. In vitro effects of JAK inhibit...

BACKGROUND Scabies is a contagious skin disease rarely described in miniature pigs. To the best of the authors' knowledge, a zoonotic transfer from infected pet pigs to humans has not been reported previously. CASE PRESENTATION This case report describes the infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei mites in two miniature pigs presenting with unusual clinical signs, and disease transmission to a chi...

Post-burn pruritus is a common and distressing sequela of burn scars. Empirical antipruritic treatments usually fail to have a satisfactory outcome because of their limited selectivity and possible side effects. Therefore, novel drug targets need to be identified. Here, we aimed to investigate the possible role of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and transient receptor potential vanniloid 3...

Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese formula, has been clinically used in the treatment of cutaneous pruritus, chronic inflammation, and other diseases. The present study was carried out to observe the antipruritic and antiinflammatory effects of SWT aqueous extract using compound 48/80 and picryl chloride (PC) models in mice. SWT (500, 1000 mg/kg p.o.) clearly reduced the scratching respons...