TOPICALLY APPLIED ASPIRIN RAPIDLY DECREASES HISTAMINE-INDUCED ITCH

The effect of topical aspirin and its model vehicle dichloromethane on itch experimentally induced with histamine mas studied in 16 subjects , using a visual analogue scale and computerized thermal sensory analy zer (TSA), Following histamine injection aspirin, but not its vehicle, significantly reduced itch duration (p=0.001) and decreased itch magn itude as measured with a visual analogue scale (p<0.04). Histamine inj ection caused elevation of warmth sensation threshold (p=10(-8)) but d id not affect cold and heat pain thresholds. Aspirin and vehicle appli cation did not affect thermal and pain thresholds during histamine-ind uced itch, The current data suggest that topical application of aspiri n may be beneficial for the treatment of histamine-mediated itch. Its therapeutic role in the management of clinical itch remains to be dete rmined.