Papers of the Week

Itch, also known as pruritus, is an unpleasant sensation that results in an urge to scratch. We can feel itch at any location where itch occurs from the top of the head to the toes. However, there are topographical differences in itch intensity. Itch is mainly conducted by C nerve fibers from the skin where itch emanates to the central nervous system. However, the abundancy of C fibers does not necessarily lead to higher itch intensity.Interestingly reduction and/or structural changes of C fibers seem to play a role in itch sensation. In addition, C tactile fibers (CT afferents), which are activated by gentle "affective" touch and seem to be associated with scratching pleasurability and the reward system in the brain, can be involved in itch sensation and topographical differences of itch.