An electrical impedance technique for assessment of wheals.

Abstract

In previous studies of the electrical impedance of the skin, we introduced a set of physical indices which could be used to distinguish between the cutaneous effects produced by different irritants and allergic contact reactions. In this study, wheals were induced in 10 allergic patients by performing prick tests on the forearm with the relevant allergen and histamine, respectively. Normal skin was used for control. The wheals were evaluated by visual scoring, laser Doppler, and electrical impedance. As expected, there was a close agreement between the visual and laser Doppler readings. Compared to the controls, there were significant changes in the electrical impedance of the wheals, especially in the index related to the phase angle. The changes in the indices were found to follow a particular pattern, which diverged from those obtained in contact skin reactions of both allergic and irritant type. Our results indicate that, by the application of the impedance technique, it will be possible to characterize objectively and quantify the wheal reaction. The results also suggest that cutaneous reactions of completely different causes, such as allergic skin reactions of the late and immediate type, and irritant contact reactions, may be distinguished on the basis of their effects on the electrical impedance of the skin.