Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
04:59
Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
Double-blind, randomized, pilot study assessing the resolution of postburn pruritus
Bernadette Nedelec1, Grazyna Rachelska, Laura K S Parnell
1School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Summary
Provase, a moisturizer with protease enzymes, significantly reduced postburn itching in adult survivors. This pilot study showed improvements in itch duration, frequency, and bothersomeness over four weeks.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Wound Healing
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Postburn pruritus (itching) is a common and distressing symptom for burn survivors.
- Current treatments for postburn itching are often inadequate, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
- Protease enzymes in moisturizers may modulate inflammatory pathways involved in pruritus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Provase®, a nonprescription moisturizer containing protease enzymes, in reducing postburn itching in adult burn survivors.
- To compare the effects of Provase® against a control moisturizer in a randomized, double-blinded pilot study.
- To assess changes in pruritus intensity, duration, frequency, and affective burden over a four-week treatment period.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-center, double-blinded, randomized pilot study involving 23 adult burn survivors.
- Participants were assigned to apply either Provase® (treatment group) or a base moisturizer (control group) every 8 hours for 4 weeks.
- Pruritus and scar severity were assessed weekly using validated measures, including itch duration, frequency, and affective characteristics.
Main Results:
- The treatment group using Provase® demonstrated statistically significant reductions in itch duration, weekly frequency, and daily episodes compared to baseline at various time points.
- Significant reductions in the affected body surface area (TBSA) related to itching were observed in the treatment group.
- Affective itch characteristics, including bothersome, annoying, and unbearable itch, showed significant improvement in the Provase® group.
Conclusions:
- Provase®, a moisturizer with protease enzymes, showed promising results in reducing various aspects of postburn pruritus in a pilot study.
- Despite the small sample size, statistically significant improvements in itch duration, frequency, TBSA involvement, and affective burden were noted.
- Further large-scale, longer-duration studies are recommended to confirm these findings and explore stratification based on itch chronicity.
