Strontium is a potent and selective inhibitor of sensory irritation

BACKGROUND. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs following topical exposure t o many chemicals found in cosmetics, personal care products, drugs, and dur ing occupational exposure. Signs and symptoms may include sensory irritatio n (sting, burn, and/or itch), erythema, edema, and vesiculation. OBJECTIVE. In an attempt to discover new classes of anti-irritant compounds without anesthetic properties, I observed that topical application of stro ntium salts to intact skin produced potent suppression of sting, burn, and itch caused by many irritant chemicals. METHODS. Chemically and biologically unrelated irritants were applied with or without strontium salts to the skin of healthy women with self-reported sensitive skin in double-blind, vehicle-controlled, random-treatment assign ment trials and sensory irritation was assessed. RESULTS. Strontium application as a pretreatment or mixed with the irritant substantially suppressed sensory irritation without local anesthetic side- effects. CONCLUSION. Strontium salts represent a new class of selective inhibitors o f sensory irritation and irritant dermatitis.