Stochastic Resonance and Angry Back Syndrome: Noisy Skin

BACKGROUND: Biological systems that show threshold phenomena are candidates for stochastic resonance as a mechanism to explain what appears to be biovariability. Stochastic resonance is the amplification of weak signals by "noise." OBJECTIVE: This review discusses the areas of contact dermatitis in which threshold events have been documented. The purpose is to point out the mechanism by which stochastic resonance may affect patch test results. METHODS: A literature review technique was used. RESULTS: The recent finding of a neurological influence on contract dermatitis provides a mechanism for stochastic resonance to affect patch test results. CONCLUSION: Stochastic resonance is likely to affect patch test results when more than one patch test result is positive.