Thermophobia

Thermophobia (adjective: thermophobic) is intolerance for high temperatures by either inorganic materials or organisms.[1] The term has a number of specific usages.

In pharmacy, a thermophobic foam consisting of 0.1% betamethasone valerate was found to be at least as effective as conventional remedies for treating dandruff. In addition, the foam is non-greasy and does not irritate the scalp.[2][3] Another use of thermophobic material is in treating hyperhydrosis of the axilla and the palm: A thermophobic foam named Bettamousse developed by Mipharm, an Italian company, was found to treat hyperhydrosis effectively.[4][5]

In biology, some bacteria are thermophobic, such as mycobacterium leprae which causes leprosy.[6] Thermophobic response in living organisms is negative response to higher temperatures.

In physics, thermophobia is motion of particles in mixtures (solutions, suspensions, etc.) towards the areas of lower temperatures, a particular case of thermophoresis.[7]

In medicine, thermophobia refers to a sensory dysfunction, sensation of abnormal heat, which may be associated with, e.g., hyperthyroidism.[7][8]

  1. ^ "Glossary for "thermophobic"". Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  2. ^ Milani, Massimo; Antonio Di Molfetta, S; Gramazio, R; Fiorella, C; Frisario, C; Fuzio, E; Marzocca, V; Zurilli, M; et al. (August 4, 2003). "Efficacy of Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% Thermophobic Foam". Curr Med Res Opin. 19 (4): 342–5. doi:10.1185/030079903125001875. PMID 12841928. S2CID 20044143.
  3. ^ "New anti-dandruff foam looks promising". Dermatology Times. March 1, 2004. Retrieved 2006-11-04.[dead link]
  4. ^ Innocenzi D, Lupi F, Bruni F, Frasca M, Panetta C, Milani M (December 2005). "Efficacy of a new aluminium salt thermophobic foam in the treatment of axillary and palmar primary hyperhidrosis: a pilot exploratory trial". Curr Med Res Opin. 21 (12): 1949–53. doi:10.1185/030079905X74899. PMID 16368045. S2CID 20789237.
  5. ^ "Information on Bettamousse from Mipharm company website". Archived from the original on 2006-05-24. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  6. ^ "Leprosy notes". Archived from the original on 2007-08-29. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  7. ^ a b Iacopini S, Piazza R (2003-07-01). "Thermophoresis in protein solutions". Europhys. Lett. 63 (2): 247–53. Bibcode:2003EL.....63..247I. doi:10.1209/epl/i2003-00520-y. S2CID 250804369.
  8. ^ Duclaux R, Cabanac M (June 1971). "[Physiopathology of thermophobia in hyperthyroidism]". Lyon Med (in French). 225 (12): 1241–3. PMID 5122011.