What lies beneath the surface of the itch in adults?

Allergy Asthma Proc. 2007 Mar-Apr;28(2):153-62. doi: 10.2500/aap.2007.28.2942.

Abstract

Pruritus is synonymous with itching. Many medical conditions are complicated by chronic pruritus compromising the patient's quality of life. The majority of pruritic stimuli are transmitted through C fibers into the lateral spinothalamic tract and then into the somatic sensory cortex where the itching is detected. Histamine, substance P, and tumor necrosis factor a play significant roles in the perception of pruritus. Medical conditions in adults with significant pruritus will be defined in this review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis / complications
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis / physiopathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Histamine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lichen Planus / complications
  • Lichen Planus / physiopathology
  • Mental Disorders / complications*
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / physiopathology
  • Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / metabolism
  • Pemphigoid, Bullous / complications
  • Pemphigoid, Bullous / physiopathology
  • Pruritus / etiology*
  • Pruritus / metabolism
  • Pruritus / physiopathology
  • Psoriasis / complications
  • Psoriasis / physiopathology
  • Scabies / complications
  • Scabies / physiopathology
  • Skin / innervation
  • Skin Diseases / complications*
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases / physiopathology
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiopathology
  • Substance P / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Urticaria / complications
  • Urticaria / physiopathology

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Substance P
  • Histamine