Using microdialysis, we measured nitric oxide (NO) levels in healthy human skin, in vivo, before and during the local inflammatory response to histamine. Basal dialysate NO concentration, assayed using an amperometric technique, was 0·49 ± 0·06 µM (mean ± S.E.M., 21 probes, 14 subjects). Histamine injection produced transient increases in NO concentration within both the weal and flare which was blocked by the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME). Dialysate NO concentration also increased following transdermal delivery of the nitrosovasodilator, glyceryl trinitrate. Thus, using microdialysis, it is possible to quantify NO production in human skin in vivo and study its modulation during the acute inflammatory response.