The future: critical knowledge about anti-itch therapy.
Itch is an extremely frequent and enervating symptom of many diseases. Current anti-itch therapy, which is based almost exclusively on an "immunocentric" viewpoint, is often unsatisfactory. Recent studies show that this symptom is in fact the result of a complex interplay among skin, nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system. This explains the frequent failure of therapeutic strategies focused only on a single factor and suggests the usefulness of a polypharmacologic symptomatic treatment, designed on a case-by-case basis as a result of a multidisciplinary approach. We discuss the perspectives of anti-itch therapy in light of the new pathogenetic and pharmacologic acquisitions.
Guarneri
Claudio
C
Department of Dermatological Sciences, University of Messina, Italy. claudioguarneri@tiscali.it
Terranova
Margherita
M
Terranova
Giuseppe
G
Guarneri
Fabrizio
F
D000982:Antipruritics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000982:Antipruritics; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D002211:Capsaicin