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 is a specific phobia, abnormal fear of heat and hot places. In addition it may refer to a sensory dysfunction, sensation of abnormal heat, which may be associated with, e.g., hyperthyroidism.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ "Glossary for "thermophobic"". http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Glossary/Glossary.cfm?TermEnglish=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. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/458573. 
  3. ^ "New anti-dandruff foam looks promising". Dermatology Times. March 1, 2004. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-114717275.html. Retrieved 2006-11-04. 
  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. http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1185/030079905X74899. 
  5. ^ "Information on Bettamousse from Mipharm company website". Archived from the original on 2006-05-24. http://web.archive.org/web/20060524174336/http://www.mipharm.it/innovation+tech/index.htm. Retrieved 2006-11-04. 
  6. ^ "Leprosy notes". http://www.itg.be/itg/DistanceLearning/LectureNotesVandenEndenE/22_Leprosyp7.htm. Retrieved 2006-11-04. 
  7. ^ a b Iacopini S, Piazza R (2003-07-01). "Thermophoresis in protein solutions". Europhys. Lett. 63 (2): 247–53. doi:10.1209/epl/i2003-00520-y. http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/7722.html. 
  8. ^ Duclaux R, Cabanac M (June 1971). "[Physiopathology of thermophobia in hyperthyroidism]" (in French). Lyon Med 225 (12): 1241–3. PMID 5122011.