Evaluation of the Effect Induced by Repeated Administration of Topical Local Anaesthetic (EMLA) on Itch

Aalborg University26 enrolled

Overview

In this experiment, the investigators would like to study if the repeated application of local cuaneous anaesthetic EMLA cream will reduce itch induced by small needles from the plant mucuna pruriens (also known as cowhage) and histamine (an itch proving substance formed in the body).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Lidocaine Itch

Interventions

EMLA (lidocaine) +Itch (Histamine and cowhage)DRUG

Cutaneous anaesthesia: will be topically induced by using EMLA cream 5%, a local anaesthetic cream consisting of equal parts of lidocaine and prilocaine (1g contains 25 mg of lidocaine and 25 mg of prilocaine, AstraZeneca A/S, Albertslund, Denmark). Histamine: To deliver histamine, standard allergy skin prick test (SPT) lancets are applied. Cowhage: Cowhage spicules are 1-2 mm in length and have diameter of 1-3 um at their tip, once inserted into the epidermis, the spicules evoke a moderate sensation of itch and to a lesser extent sensations of burning and stinging pain.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy men and women * 18-60 years * Speak and understand English Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or lactation * Drug addiction defined as any use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs * Previous or current neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental illnesses * Lack of ability to cooperate * Current use of medications that may affect the trial * Skin diseases * Consumption of alcohol or painkillers 24 hours before the study days and between these * Acute or chronic pain * Participation in other trials within 1 week of study entry (4 weeks in the case of pharmaceutical trials) * Known history of anaphylactic shock, or local allergy (contact dermatitis) to lidocaine, prilocaine or other local anaesthetics of the amide type.

Locations (1)

Aalborg University

Aalborg, North Denmark, Denmark