Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A on Histamine-Induced Itch and Vasomotor Responses in Human Skin
June 2008
in “
Toxicon
”
TLDR Botulinum toxin type A reduces itch and inflammation from histamine and may help treat certain skin conditions and hair loss.
In a study from 2008, Botulinum toxin type A (BONT/A) was found to significantly reduce histamine-induced itch intensity and neurogenic inflammation in human skin. Fourteen healthy male volunteers received BONT/A injections and were subjected to histamine-prick tests at various intervals. The results showed that BONT/A (5 U) notably decreased both the itch intensity and the vasomotor responses such as flare area and blood flow compared to saline. These findings suggest that BONT/A could be used in future treatments for certain pruritic conditions. Additionally, the document mentions a separate study on mice, which found that a single microinjection of BONT/A into the alopecic area significantly reduced hair loss and stimulated hair follicle regeneration, indicating potential applications for treating various forms of alopecia.
