Sensitive skin can be small fibre neuropathy: results from a case-control quantitative sensory testing study

Huet, F.; Dion, Angélina; Batardière, A.; Nedelec, A.S.; Caër, F. Le; Bourgeois, P.; Brenaut, E.; Miséry, Laurent

doi:10.1111/bjd.17082

Cited by 39 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…26 Recently, another study suggested that SS could be a small-fibre neuropathy. 27 The diversity of triggering factors suggests that there may be an abnormal activation of sensory receptors from the transient receptor protein family because these proteins are the only proteins known to be activated by physical and chemical factors. 1 The exact role of these triggering factors needs to be determined.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Triggering factors in sensitive skin from the worldwide patients’ point of view: a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis

Brenaut

Barnetche

Roudot³

et al. 2019

Acad Dermatol Venereol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sensitive skin (SS) is a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. In most patients, symptoms occur within 1 h following exposure to trigger factors and may persist for minutes or even hours. Numerous triggering factors (physical, chemical or psychological) are suspected and described in articles. The aim of this article was to perform a systematic literature review to collect data on the triggering factors involved in SS and to then perform a meta‐analysis. Thirteen studies were included in the systematic literature review. Subjects were classified into groups, SS or no sensitive skin (NSS), and triggering factors were researched through responses to different questions. SS could be triggered by numerous factors. The most important triggering factor was cosmetics, with an odds ratio (OR) equal to 7.12 [3.98–12.72]. Other triggering factors were physical (variations in temperature, cold, heat, wind, sun, air conditioning, wet air and dry air), chemical (water and pollution) or psychological (emotional) factors. After cosmetics, the most important factors were wet air, OR 3.83 [2.48–5.91]; air conditioning, OR 3.60 [2.11–6.14]; heat, OR 3.5 [2.69–4.63]; and water, OR 3.46 [2.56–4.77].

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Triggering factors in sensitive skin from the worldwide patients’ point of view: a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis

Brenaut

Barnetche

Roudot³

et al. 2019

Acad Dermatol Venereol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There is increasing evidence for the involvement of nerve endings in SS, which should be considered as a small-fiber neuropathy (19,20). Consequently, the length of altered nerve endings is decreased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy and Tolerability of Phototherapy With Light-Emitting Diodes for Sensitive Skin: A Pilot Study

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sensitive skin (SS) syndrome is defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations in response to stimuli that should normally not induce such sensations. It affects ∼50% of women and 40% of men and can impact the quality of life. There is no consensus on therapeutic management. Phototherapy by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is increasingly being used in dermatology for various inflammatory skin disorders with significant reduction in SS-10 and good tolerability. A Korean study suggested its efficacy in alleviating SS symptoms associated with other facial diseases. Our objective is to obtain preliminary data on the efficacy of phototherapy with LEDs for alleviating SS symptoms and increasing tolerance in subjects with SS that is not associated with other facial skin disorders. This monocentric pilot study included 30 subjects with SS who had a Sensitive Scale-10 score ≥40. The treatment consisted of red LED light exposure twice a week until significant reduction in SS-10 with a maximal treatment length of 8 weeks. The primary outcome was defined by a 60% decrease in the SS-10 score compared to the baseline. Results: Thirty subjects were included; 83% were women, and the mean age was 28.9 years. Two participants were considered lost to follow-up. The cheeks (90%) and the nose (70%) were the most frequently involved parts of the face. Cold, heat, temperature variation, water and sun were the most frequent triggering factors. Twenty-eight subjects (93.3%, 95% CI 77.9 to 99.2%) achieved the primary outcome. Significant reduction in SS-10 was achieved in 77% of subjects in six sessions or fewer. The mean (SD) SS-10 scores were 54.7 (12.1) at inclusion, 14.4 (6.0) at the last session and 13.9 (7.5) 2 months after the last session, suggesting that the benefits persist for a few weeks. Two side effects were reported: both were allergic reactions to the nickel contained in the protective goggles. This pilot study had a small sample size and no control group. LEDs were effective in treating SS in all 28 subjects who completed the study in accordance with the protocol, and the benefits persisted for 2 months after the last LED therapy session.

show abstract

“…In a case-control study, 21 subjects with and 21 subjects without sensitive skin were compared with a significant decrease in the heat-pain threshold detection in the sensitive skin group compared with the control group. 46 Conversely, vibration and cold threshold detection revealed no difference. These findings are similar to those observed in smallfibre neuropathies.…”

Section: Role Of Epidermal Nerve Endingsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…9 Without excluding other possible explanations, the role of the nervous system in the development of sensitive skin is crucial and a growing body of evidences supporting this hypothesis. 46 In a recent epidemiological study on 5000 volunteers, very sensitive skin was twice as common in people with irritable bowel syndrome, 47 considered as secondary to peripheral nervous system alterations. 46 In a recent epidemiological study on 5000 volunteers, very sensitive skin was twice as common in people with irritable bowel syndrome, 47 considered as secondary to peripheral nervous system alterations.…”

Section: Role Of Epidermal Nerve Endingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…46 In a recent epidemiological study on 5000 volunteers, very sensitive skin was twice as common in people with irritable bowel syndrome, 47 considered as secondary to peripheral nervous system alterations. 46 Conversely, vibration and cold threshold detection revealed no difference. Furthermore, an immunohistochemical study compared 50 biopsies of subjects with or without sensitive skin.…”

Section: Role Of Epidermal Nerve Endingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Pathophysiology and management of sensitive skin: position paper from the special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI)

Miséry

Weißhaar

Brenaut

et al. 2019

Acad Dermatol Venereol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch previously defined sensitive skin as a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. This additional paper focuses on the pathophysiology and the management of sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is not an immunological disorder but is related to alterations of the skin nervous system. Skin barrier abnormalities are frequently associated, but there is no cause and direct relationship. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of sensitive skinas well as the inducing factors. Avoidance of possible triggering factors and the use of well-tolerated cosmetics, especially those containing inhibitors of unpleasant sensations, might be suggested for patients with sensitive skin. The role of psychosocial factors, such as stress or negative expectations, might be relevant for subgroups of patients. To date, there is no clinical trial supporting the use of topical or systemic drugs in sensitive skin. The published data are not sufficient to reach a consensus on sensitive skin management. In general, patients with sensitive skin require a personalized approach, taking into account various biomedical, neural and psychosocial factors affecting sensitive skin. Emotion1.77 1. 44-2.17 Comparison between people with sensitive skin and healthy subjects. Results from a meta-analysis.

show abstract

Sensitive skin can be small fibre neuropathy: results from a case-control quantitative sensory testing study

Cited by 39 publications

References 37 publications

Triggering factors in sensitive skin from the worldwide patients’ point of view: a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis

Triggering factors in sensitive skin from the worldwide patients’ point of view: a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis

Efficacy and Tolerability of Phototherapy With Light-Emitting Diodes for Sensitive Skin: A Pilot Study

Pathophysiology and management of sensitive skin: position paper from the special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About