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Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is evidence that lauromacragols added to topical moisturizers and bath oils confer additional antipruritic efficacy. The mechanism for such an effect is not clearly established but lauromacragols may act as local anaesthetics. We conducted two studies to determine whether the clinical usage of a topical lauromacragol-containing product could influence cutaneous innervation. METHODS: Study I A randomized, double-blind, parallel group trial was performed in 16 healthy adult volunteers comparing Balneum ® (B) and Balneum Plus ® (BP) bath oils. Study 2 A randomized, double-blind, crossover study was performed in 19 healthy adult volunteers comparing a topical lauromacragol-containing cream (Optiderm ® ) with placebo. RESULTS: Study 1 A comparison of the weal, flare and blood flow (measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, LDF) before and after treatment demonstrated significantly smaller mean flare in the BP group following challenge with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Multivariate analysis also demonstrated a significantly reduced LDF measurement in favour of the BP group. Study 2 The only treatment difference that achieved significance was a reduced flare size in favour of placebo after injection with 48/80. CONCLUSION: Study 1 implies that although lauromacragols in BP might affect neuronal control of the cutaneous microvasculature, the antipruritic effect claimed for Optiderm ® does not appear to be due to cutaneous neuronal or microvascular influences. (J Dermatol Treat (2000) 11:69-72)