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Sodium hydroxide-induced subclinical irritation. A test for evaluating stratum corneum barrier function
K P Wilhelm1, F Pasche, C Surber
1Department of Dermatology, University of California, School of Medicine, San Francisco 94143-0989.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|January 1, 1990
Summary
A new, non-invasive skin test using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) effectively measures irritant dermatitis sensitivity. This quick test shows results comparable to longer methods, aiding in skin barrier research and product testing.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Skin Physiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Assessing irritant contact dermatitis sensitivity is crucial for skin health.
- Existing methods can be invasive, time-consuming, or cause discomfort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, non-invasive test for quantifying skin sensitivity to irritants.
- To establish a correlation between a short-term irritant test and a longer-term standard test.
Main Methods:
- Application of varying concentrations and durations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to human skin.
- Measurement of skin surface water loss (SSWL) immediately post-application.
- Comparison of SSWL with transepidermal water loss (TEWL) after sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) patch testing.
Main Results:
- NaOH application significantly increased SSWL in a dose- and time-dependent manner (0.005-0.1 mol/l, 1-10 min).
- Higher doses or longer exposure times did not further increase SSWL.
- Short-term NaOH test results correlated significantly with 24-hour SLS-induced TEWL.
Conclusions:
- A brief, non-invasive NaOH skin test can quantify irritant sensitivity without visible reactions or discomfort.
- This method offers a reliable alternative for assessing stratum corneum barrier function.
- The test is valuable for investigating skin barrier function and evaluating protective products.