What lies beneath the surface of the itch in adults?
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.
Weldon
David
D
Allergy and Pulmonary Services, Scott & White Clinic, College Station, Texas 77840, USA. dweldon@swmail.sw.org
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
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013373:Substance P; D006632:Histamine