Relationship between biochemical factors and skin symptoms in chronic venous disease

Abstract

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common venous disease of the lower extremities and patients often develop symptoms of itching and skin roughness. An easy to use and objective skin examination was recently developed that allows measurement of the level of stratum corneum content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which can indicate the status of the barrier function of the stratum corneum. Previous studies demonstrated that histamine production from mast cells, and tryptase and matrix metalloprotease-9 levels were associated with skin inflammation. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between dry skin and inflammatory mediators that mediate the skin symptoms of CVD subjects. The study enrolled 27 subjects with CVD and a control group consisting of 9 volunteers. The itching onset frequency was higher in women (70.4%) compared with men (50.0%). To analyze the mechanisms involved in itching we measured blood inflammatory mediators pre- and post-sclerotherapy. There was a significant decrease in Substance P, histamine, IgE, and tryptase levels post-sclerotherapy compared with those at pre-sclerotherapy. These levels were associated with the severity of itching. In addition, compared with the control subjects, there was a significant increase in the stratum corneum water content and a decrease in the TEWL in the 27 patients with CVD. This was associated with a decrease in the itching symptoms. Our findings indicate that sclerotherapy decreased levels of inflammatory mediators, increased stratum corneum water content and decreased TEWL, which coincided with reduced itching in CVD patients, indicating they might be therapeutic targets.

High Staphylococcus epidermidis Colonization and Impaired Permeability Barrier in Facial Seborrheic Dermatitis

“…Local inflammation interrupts skin barrier function. [25262728] Breached skin barrier predisposes the skin to inflammatory responses by S. epidermidis in vitro , albeit the bacteria took no effect on the intact skin. [29] A combination of factors, such as high bacterial colonization, inflammation, and skin barrier disruption, as well as a genetic disposition, may explain the occurrence of this common skin condition.…”

Detection of skin alterations in mild-to-moderate chronic venous disease using non-invasive techniques

“…Regarding therapeutic options in CVD, flavonoids have been proposed [33], but currently clinicians suggest compression therapy, which has a positive effect on the symptoms of the pathology. Importantly, compression therapy significantly decreases TEWL [34], suggesting that its effect is both mechanical on the veins and antiinflammatory at the skin level. However, compression stockings are known to be uncomfortable as they lead to skin irritation and itching.…”

Onset Mechanism and Pharmaceutical Management of Dry Skin

“…Varicose veins of the lower extremities are associated with various symptoms, including pain, swelling, and itching. 4,[20][21][22][23] Among patients with varicose veins, 25.3% of women and 19.0% of men in the Edinburgh varicose vein study complained of pruritus, and the number of women complaining of pruritus increased significantly with age. 24) However, the pathogenic mechanisms through which pruritus is associated with varicose veins of the lower extremities are unclear, and no curative treatment has been reported to date.…”

“…Dry skin in patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities and related symptoms, such as itching, are also described, as well as research on alleviation of dry skin in elderly individuals. 4)…”