Itch sensation is provoked by the binding of itch inducing substances (pruritogens) to their cognate receptors (pruriceptors) on peripheral sensory afferents. Because histamine is a well-known pruritogen, antihistamines are the class of agents used most frequently to treat itch. However, antihistamines are not fully effective in some dermatological and systemic diseases characterized by dry ski...

Differences in itch characteristics between different inflammatory dermatoses are not well described. The aim of this study was to assess differences in itch characteristics between patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis using a previously validated web-based questionnaire that was made available through the National Psoriasis Foundation and National Eczema Association for Science and Ed...

The cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating histamine-independent itch in primary sensory neurons are largely unknown. Itch induced by chloroquine (CQ) is a common side effect of this widely used antimalarial drug. Here, we show that Mrgprs, a family of G protein-coupled receptors expressed exclusively in peripheral sensory neurons, function as itch receptors. Mice lacking a cluster of Mrgp...

Although the trichomes (spicules) of a pod of cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) are known to evoke a histamine-independent itch that is mediated by a cysteine protease, little is known of the itch and accompanying nociceptive sensations evoked by a single spicule and the enhanced itch and pain that can occur in the surrounding skin. The tip of a single spicule applied to the forearm of 45 subjects typi...

Itch is the main chief complaint in patients visiting dermatologic clinics and has the ability to deeply impair life quality. Itch results from activation of cutaneous nerve endings by noxious stimuli such as inflammatory mediators, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, causing itch signal transduction from peripheral skin, through the spinal cord and thalamus, to the brain cortex. Primarily non...

It is known that itch is associated with psychological variables, but it is not known whether personality characteristics, depression or anxiety are predictors of experimentally induced itch in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study itch was induced in 27 patients with AD and 28 healthy controls by the presentation of an experimental video on crawling insects and skin diseases. Itc...

Recent years have witnessed an increasing availability of DNA sequence data from acariform mites. However, compared to Hexapoda, a clade which the mite diversity rivals, amount molecular estimated in cells supermatrix alignments (Fig. 1) is lagging behind by approximately one decade, since insect datasets reached 107 2010 (reviewed Kjer et al. 2016).

Itching is the most frequent symptom in dermatology. Little is known about its occurrence and its characteristics in the general population. Instruments specifically designed to measure itch are scarce. The aim of this pilot study was to develop and validate an instrument measuring prevalence and characteristics of chronic itch in the general population. A questionnaire was developed and admini...

Chronic itch is a prevalent and debilitating condition for which few effective therapies are available. We harnessed the natural variation across genetically distinct mouse strains to identify transcripts co-regulated with itch behavior. This survey led to the discovery of the serotonin receptor HTR7 as a key mediator of serotonergic itch. Activation of HTR7 promoted opening of the ion channel ...

Itch is one of the most distressing sensations that substantially impair quality of life. It is a cardinal symptom of many skin diseases and is also caused by a variety of systemic disorders. Unfortunately, currently available itch medications are ineffective in many chronic itch conditions, and they often cause undesirable side effects. To develop novel therapeutic strategies, it is essential ...