Airborne formaldehyde causes skin barrier dysfunction in atopic dermatitis. (1st August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, J.; Han, Y.; Ahn, J.H.; Kim, S.W.; Lee, S.I.; Lee, K.H.; Ahn, K.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 175:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 357
• Page End: 363
• Publication Date: 2016-08-01
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14357
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Background: It remains to be elucidated whether exposure to air pollutants aggravates atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to formaldehyde for 1 h and 2 h on skin barrier function in both the control and the AD groups. Methods: In 41 patients with AD and 34 healthy children, a provocation test was performed in which two different areas of normal‐appearing skin on the forearm were stimulated with airborne formaldehyde at 500 μg m −3 or placebo for 2 h. We measured transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin pH, and calculated the percentage change from baseline. Results: Exposure to formaldehyde increased TEWL in the control group [ P < 0·001; median of difference 1·4; interquartile range (IQR) 0·9–1·6] and in the AD group ( P < 0·001; median of difference 2·5; IQR 2·0–3·6). The percentage change of TEWL after formaldehyde exposure in the AD group was higher than in the control group ( P < 0·001), whereas exposure to placebo showed no differences between both groups. The AD group also demonstrated a higher percentage increase in skin pH after exposure to formaldehyde than the control group ( P < 0·001). Conclusions: Short‐term exposure to formaldehyde causes skin barrier dysfunction in both healthy children and children with AD, and this effect is more prominent in children with AD.