Efficiency of cutaneous heat diffusion after local hyperthermia for the treatment of itch

Today, itching is understood as an independent sensory perception, which is based on a complex etiology of a disturbed neuronal activity and leads to clinical symptoms. The primary afferents (pruriceptors) have functional overlaps with afferents of thermoregulation (thermoceptors). Thus, an antipruritic effect can be caused by antagonizing heat-sensitive receptors of the skin. The ion channel TRP-subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) is of particular importance in this context. Repeated heat application can induce irreversible inactivation by unfolding of the protein, causing a persistent functional deficit and thus clinically and therapeutically reducing itch sensation.

To demonstrate relevant heat diffusion after local application of heat (45°C to 52°C for 3 and 5 seconds) by a technical medical device, the temperature profile for the relevant skin layer was recorded synchronously on ex vivo human skin using an infrared microscope.

The results showed that the necessary activation temperature for TRPV1 of (≥43°C) in the upper relevant skin layers was safely reached after 3 and 5 seconds of application time. There were no indications of undesirable thermal effects.

The test results show that the objectified performance of the investigated medical device can be expected to provide the necessary temperature input for the activation of heat-sensitive receptors in the skin. Clinical studies are necessary to prove therapeutic efficacy in the indication pruritus.