Experiments on Blister Formation

Abstract

The author reports attempts at inducing blister formation in fresh isolated human skin and in the skin of live guinea pigs by means of nearly 40 different chemicals, most of which proved inactive, 12 always caused subepidermal detachment, only cantharidin caused acantholysis. Several factors may influence blister formation e.g. chemical or pharmacological properties of the chemicals, vehicle and method of application, concentration, incubation temperature, period of exposure, oxygen tension, condition of the skin. The investigation revealed that the process of blister formation is closely connected with a "living" skin and requires an active metabolism. All chemicals which caused subepidermal blister formation interfere with the energy supply system of the cells, thus bringing about a disturbance of the synthesis of ATP. It is assumed that the distrubance of ATP causes the formation of subepidermal blisters which accounts for the action of subepidermal vesicants. The effect of dinitrophenol which depending on the oxygen tension in the tissue, causes blistering, corresponds to this hypothesis.