The knowledge about chronic pruritus and dermatitis has grown in recent years, but its pathogenesis still remains controversial and unclear. Animal models are rare, although some rat models have been used to study pruritus associated to pathological conditions. Thus, the present model was developed to study, from the barrier skin disruption, dry skin and idiopathic and refractory chronic pruritus, common conditions in human atopic dermatitis (AD). Male Wistar (n=10) rats (447±14g) were assigned to 2 experimental groups according to topical treatment – water, also serving as control (CT;) and acetone (AC). The acetone-challenge involved treatment of the dorsal area, previously prepared (epilation by contact with a hair-removing preparation, under sedation with ether) 24h before, with soaked cotton balls for 5 min for 3 consecutive days. For the CT group, sterile water was used instead of acetone. Measurements involving non-invasive techniques allowed quantifying: (1) epidermal hydration (Corneometer CM825, Courage-Khazaka, Germany), (2) transepidermal water loss (TEWL, Tewameter TM300, Courage-Khazaka, Germany) and (3) skin blood flow (Laser Doppler Flowmetry, Periflux 5010 System, Perimed, Sweden), 1h after the last acetone or water treatment. The scratching behavior was monitored for 30 min, after the last cutaneous treatment. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using t-test (Statistica 10.0) and a 95% confidence level adopted. Results indicate a significant increase in TEWL (p=0.02) and in skin blood flow (p=0.02) following acetone treatments when compared with CT group. Also, skin hydration was significantly decreased by acetone treatment (p=0.000). The CT group did not exhibit itching behavior, while AC group showed intense scratching, suggesting that this acetone challenge resulted in a pruritic dermatitis, similar to human AD. Apparently, this challenge does not evoke relevant tissue aggression , meaning that the present protocol could be a useful model for studying AD even in humans.