To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: DG DISPATCH - ACAAI: Strontium Suppresses Itching In Allergy Skin Reactions URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1E97BA.htm Doctor's Guide November 6, 2000
By Jill Stein Special to DG News
SEATTLE, WA -- November 5, 2000 -- Topically applied strontium salts may represent an effective modality for treating itch and sensory irritation, according to results presented here at the annual meeting of the American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.
Dr. Gary S. Hahn and colleagues at Cosmederm Technologies in San Diego, California evaluated the effect of strontium on itch caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated skin inflammation in 20 atopic men and women with positive prick-puncture skin tests.
Subjects were treated with 20% strontium nitrate in 5% ethanol/water vehicle or vehicle alone one minute after allergen prick-puncture challenge on their forearms.
Strontium was selected for evaluation because anecdotal reports from consumer use of over 30 strontium-containing products suggest that they may reduce itch caused by allergic reactions.
Results showed that 70 percent of strontium-treated sites had less itch than vehicle-treated sites. Severe itch and moderate itch were reduced by 75 percent and 28 percent, respectively, while reports of no itch increased by 75 percent.
Dr. Hahn said the results demonstrate that strontium nitrate, applied after the induction of a type 1, IgE-mediated, cutaneous allergic reaction, can suppress the sensation of itch.
Topically applied strontium is extremely safe and is used as an ingredient in over 30 cosmetic and dermatological products sold around the world. Strontium is naturally present in leafy green vegetables and normal human intake is 0.8 to 5 mg daily.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a person weighing 70 kg could ingest 42 mg of strontium daily for a lifetime without deleterious effects. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.