| Institution: | 1. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France;2. Department of Dermatology, Occupational Dermatology, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany;3. Department of Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Science, Leiden, The Netherlands;4. Department of Dermatology, Center for Chronic Pruritus, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany;5. Department of Dermatology, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszów, Poland;6. San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy;7. Department of Dermatology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain;8. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden;9. Section 10. of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway;11. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany;12. Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland;13. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA;14. Conflicts of interest
LM is an consultant of Beiersdorf, Bioderma, Clarins, Expanscience, Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé Skin Health, Pierre Fabre, La Roche-Posay, Solabia and Uriage;15. EW, AWME, SS, EB, ESB, JW, DL, JCS and HM declared none;16. EB is an consultant of Bioderma, Clarins, Nestlé Skin Health and Pierre Fabre;17. FH is an consultant of Beiersdorf, Clarins and Pierre Fabre;18. AR is an consultant of Bioderma, Galderma and Pierre Fabre;19. JWF is an consultant of Bioderma, Nestlé Skin Health, Sebapharma and Pierre Fabre. |
| Abstract: | The special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch previously defined sensitive skin as a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. This additional paper focuses on the pathophysiology and the management of sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is not an immunological disorder but is related to alterations of the skin nervous system. Skin barrier abnormalities are frequently associated, but there is no cause and direct relationship. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of sensitive skin – as well as the inducing factors. Avoidance of possible triggering factors and the use of well-tolerated cosmetics, especially those containing inhibitors of unpleasant sensations, might be suggested for patients with sensitive skin. The role of psychosocial factors, such as stress or negative expectations, might be relevant for subgroups of patients. To date, there is no clinical trial supporting the use of topical or systemic drugs in sensitive skin. The published data are not sufficient to reach a consensus on sensitive skin management. In general, patients with sensitive skin require a personalized approach, taking into account various biomedical, neural and psychosocial factors affecting sensitive skin. |
