Action of U. V. Rays on the Experimental Cutaneous Inflammation Induced by Cantharidin

Abstract

In previous researches in man, it was demonstrated that histamine injected i.v. in microdoses (40 μg) reactivates a decreasing cutaneous inflammation. It is well known that the experimental inflammation induced on the skin by application of cantharidin presents the following characteristics (Fig. 1): 1.) development of exudate; 2.) sensation of pain that starts about 10 hours after the application of the stimulus; 3.) halo of hyperemia corresponding to primary hyperalgesia; 4.) a larger area of secondary hyperalgesia. After 48 hours all these elements are strongly reduced: this shows how inflammation is fading. In this phase an intravenous histamine administration is followed by a new increase of blister exudate, hyperemic halo and secondary hyperalgesia. A short-lasting burning pain in the blister also arises. At the same time, the kininogen level in the blister exudate increased.