Gourt > Health > Senses > Touch and Sensation > Pruritus - Itching
An itch (Latin: pruritus) is a sensation felt on an area of skin that makes a person or animal want to scratch it. It is a distressing symptom that can cause discomfort. Scratching may cause breaks in the skin that may result in infection. Pruritus can be related to anything from dry skin to undiagnosed cancer.
Mechanism
The central chemical in itch is histamine, a molecule released by mast cells in the skin. Histamine is the chemical that causes the itch and reddening when bitten by insects. It binds to local nerve endings on specific receptors.
Itch from cutaneous (skin-related) stimuli, such as movement of small hairs on the body, is transmitted along the same pathway as pain. Itch caused by histamine is transmitted to the brain by a different neural pathway, described in 2001 by Andrew et al. As with pain, histamine-induced itch travels via the spinothalamic tract, but in fibres specific for itch.
More on [ Itch ]
Causes of Itchy Bum, Pruritus Ani and Anal Itching
TotalHealthTips (David Thomas) Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:28:50 -0000
Causes of Itchy Bum, Pruritus Ani and Anal Itching
Causes of Itchy Bum, Pruritus Ani and Anal Itching
TotalHealthTips (David Thomas) Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:17:17 -0000
Causes of Itchy Bum, Pruritus Ani and Anal Itching
Pruritus: medical term for itching #whatilearnttoday
cmquinn21 (Catherine Quinn) Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:18:11 -0000
Pruritus: medical term for itching #whatilearnttoday
Pruritus means itching... Why not just u
Invisible Itches: Insect and Non-Insect Causes - Article about biting arthropods and other causes of irritations of unknown origin.
NCI: Pruritus - Includes ways to relieve itching and types of cancer and treatments that may increase the risk of developing pruritus.
Meta Description: [ Expert-reviewed information summary about pruritus (itching of the skin) as a complication of cancer or its treatment. Approaches to the management and treatment of pruritus are discussed. ]
Postgraduate Meditine: Patient Notes: Itching - Basic information on causes and treatments.
Pruritus - Medical overview from the Canadian Encyclopedia of Dermatology.
Pruritus Ani - Brief description of this disorder, and treatments.
Meta Description: [ Pruritus ani is a chronic itching of the skin around the anus. The skin of the perirectal area is exposed to irritating digestive products in the stool; this may lead to an itchy rash, especially when stools are frequent. Often the rash is worsened by vigorous use of toilet tissue or scrubbing wi... ]
Pruritus Ani - Describes this condition of anal itching, and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Pruritus ani is a chronic itching of the skin around the anus. The skin of the perirectal area is exposed to irritating digestive products in the stool; this may lead to an itchy rash, especially when stools are frequent. Often the rash is worsened by vigorous use of toilet tissue or scrubbing wi... ]
| Scratch That Itch. Soothes Pruritus Ani | |
