Abstract
Itching, or pruritus, can be defined as an unpleasant sensation that evokes the desire to scratch. Pruritus is most commonly associated with a primary skin disorder such as atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, etc., and can have a major impact on the quality of life of those patients. Itch-induced scratching can further damage the skin barrier, leading to a worsening of symptoms. For that reason, it is important to manage pruritus. Topical glucocorticoids are commonly the first-line therapy in the management of AD and psoriasis patients. We found that topical glucocorticoids induce pruritus in mice under certain conditions. Topical glucocorticoids may induce pruritus in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis via inhibition of prostaglandin (PG)D2 production in antigen-mediated activated mast cells in the skin. Additionally, topical glucocorticoids do not induce pruritus in healthy skin. These results indicate the importance of controlling skin inflammation to a healthy level by applying sufficient quantities of glucocorticoids to avoid glucocorticoid-induced pruritus. However, topical "steroid phobia" is common in Japan, and most patients apply inadequate amounts of topical glucocorticoids for this reason. This may cause glucocorticoid-induced pruritus in patients by prolonging the skin inflammation. We conducted a survey regarding community pharmacists' instructions on the application quantity of topical glucocorticoids and found that most community pharmacists have experienced inappropriate instructions concerning this point.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1563-1567 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan |
| Volume | 139 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 Jan 1 |
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Keywords
- fingertip unit
- pharmacist
- prostaglandin D2
- pruritus
- topical steroid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical Science
Cite this
Topical Treatment of Pruritic Skin Disease and the Role of Community Pharmacists. / Yamaura, Katsunori.
In: Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, Vol. 139, No. 12, 01.01.2019, p. 1563-1567.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Topical Treatment of Pruritic Skin Disease and the Role of Community Pharmacists
AU - Yamaura, Katsunori
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Itching, or pruritus, can be defined as an unpleasant sensation that evokes the desire to scratch. Pruritus is most commonly associated with a primary skin disorder such as atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, etc., and can have a major impact on the quality of life of those patients. Itch-induced scratching can further damage the skin barrier, leading to a worsening of symptoms. For that reason, it is important to manage pruritus. Topical glucocorticoids are commonly the first-line therapy in the management of AD and psoriasis patients. We found that topical glucocorticoids induce pruritus in mice under certain conditions. Topical glucocorticoids may induce pruritus in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis via inhibition of prostaglandin (PG)D2 production in antigen-mediated activated mast cells in the skin. Additionally, topical glucocorticoids do not induce pruritus in healthy skin. These results indicate the importance of controlling skin inflammation to a healthy level by applying sufficient quantities of glucocorticoids to avoid glucocorticoid-induced pruritus. However, topical "steroid phobia" is common in Japan, and most patients apply inadequate amounts of topical glucocorticoids for this reason. This may cause glucocorticoid-induced pruritus in patients by prolonging the skin inflammation. We conducted a survey regarding community pharmacists' instructions on the application quantity of topical glucocorticoids and found that most community pharmacists have experienced inappropriate instructions concerning this point.
AB - Itching, or pruritus, can be defined as an unpleasant sensation that evokes the desire to scratch. Pruritus is most commonly associated with a primary skin disorder such as atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, etc., and can have a major impact on the quality of life of those patients. Itch-induced scratching can further damage the skin barrier, leading to a worsening of symptoms. For that reason, it is important to manage pruritus. Topical glucocorticoids are commonly the first-line therapy in the management of AD and psoriasis patients. We found that topical glucocorticoids induce pruritus in mice under certain conditions. Topical glucocorticoids may induce pruritus in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis via inhibition of prostaglandin (PG)D2 production in antigen-mediated activated mast cells in the skin. Additionally, topical glucocorticoids do not induce pruritus in healthy skin. These results indicate the importance of controlling skin inflammation to a healthy level by applying sufficient quantities of glucocorticoids to avoid glucocorticoid-induced pruritus. However, topical "steroid phobia" is common in Japan, and most patients apply inadequate amounts of topical glucocorticoids for this reason. This may cause glucocorticoid-induced pruritus in patients by prolonging the skin inflammation. We conducted a survey regarding community pharmacists' instructions on the application quantity of topical glucocorticoids and found that most community pharmacists have experienced inappropriate instructions concerning this point.
KW - fingertip unit
KW - pharmacist
KW - prostaglandin D2
KW - pruritus
KW - topical steroid
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85075971429&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85075971429&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1248/yakushi.19-00181-4
DO - 10.1248/yakushi.19-00181-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 31787646
AN - SCOPUS:85075971429
VL - 139
SP - 1563
EP - 1567
JO - Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
JF - Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
SN - 0031-6903
IS - 12
ER -