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Papers of the Week


Papers: 13 Jul 2019 - 19 Jul 2019

PAIN TYPE:
Itch


2019 Dec


Exp Dermatol


28


12

Why do we itch?

Authors

Lerner EA
Exp Dermatol. 2019 Dec; 28(12):1474-1475.
PMID: 31299113.

Abstract

Why do we have the sensation of itch and the associated scratching response? The conventional explanation is that arthropods and other environmental irritants elicit the sensation of itch that then leads to scratching and removal of the stimulus. This explanation is reasonable yet is too limiting for this fascinating sensory phenomenon and the associated somatic (voluntary) response of scratching. We delve into other explanations here. Some of these explanations fit within current areas of basic and clinical knowledge while others are speculative and may help to frame future discussions and study. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.