Draize et al developed a scoring system for the dermal irritation caused by application of chemical compounds to the skin of rabbits.
Protocol:
(1) 0.5 mL of liquids or 0.5 grams of solids are applied to a patch.
(2) Each patch is placed on intact and abraded skin, then held in place with adhesive tape.
(3) Reactions are read at 24 and 72 hours.
|
Reaction |
Finding |
Score |
|
erythema and escar formation |
none |
0 |
|
|
very slight erythema (barely perceptible) |
1 |
|
|
well defined erythema |
2 |
|
|
moderate to severe erythema |
3 |
|
|
severe erythema (beet redness) to slight eschar formation (injuries in depth) |
4 |
|
edema formation |
none |
0 |
|
|
very slight edema (barely perceptible) |
1 |
|
|
slight edema (edges of area well defined by definite raising) |
2 |
|
|
moderate edema (area raised approximately 1 mm) |
3 |
|
|
severe edema (raised more than 1 mm and extending beyond the area of exposure) |
4 |
Table 3, page 384
total primary irritation score =
= (erythema score) + (edema score)
average irritation score =
= ((score at 24 hours) + (score at 72 hours)) / 2
Interpretation:
• minimum total score: 0
• maximum total score: 8
• The higher the score, the more severe the skin reaction.
• The subscores and total scores are recorded, as the total by itself may not be as informative over the moderate result range.
|
Total Score |
Irritation |
|
0 |
none |
|
1 or 2 |
mild |
|
3, 4 or 5 |
moderate |
|
6, 7 or 8 |
severe |
text, page 383
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Dermatology
ICD-10: ,
