The effect of H1 and H2 receptor antagonists on the dermographic response

Abstract

The effect on dermographic wealing of an H1 and H2 receptor antagonist was studied separately and in combination. a double-blind protocol was used and dermographism was measured as the diameter of weal response to a measured force. Both H1 and H2 antagonists had a small but non-significant effect, but the combination of H1 plus H2 antagonist had an approximately additive effect which was significant. Although this indicates a role for H2 receptors in dermographism it does not establish the degree of involvement, nor whether H2 antagonists necessarily have any advantage over a potent H1 blocker alone in the treatment of dermographism.