title: What lies beneath the surface of the itch in adults?
abstract: Pruritus is synonymous with itching. Many medical conditions are complicated by chronic pruritus compromising the patient's quality of life. The majority of pruritic stimuli are transmitted through C fibers into the lateral spinothalamic tract and then into the somatic sensory cortex where the itching is detected. Histamine, substance P, and tumor necrosis factor a play significant roles in the perception of pruritus. Medical conditions in adults with significant pruritus will be defined in this review.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Pulmonary Services, Scott & White Clinic, College Station, Texas 77840, USA. dweldon@swmail.sw.org
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weldon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000378:metabolism; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012532:Scabies / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D014581:Urticaria / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013373:Substance P; D006632:Histamine