Are pruritus and scratching the cough of the skin?
Pruritus is not the equivalent of the cough of the skin, but itch and scratch can certainly be defined as such. In physiological conditions, they share the same function: to exclude a foreign body. Itch/scratching and cough could be selective responses for the same diseases, mainly atopic diseases, and their pathophysiology is similar (role of C fibers and mast cells; role of histamine, substance P and tachykinins). This is an intriguing analogy rather than a pathophysiological identity. It may be inappropriate for many disease settings. Itch and cough can be triggered or enhanced by stress. This similarity is very interesting because it could give rise to many new research ideas.
Misery
Laurent
L
Laboratory of Skin Neurobiology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France. laurent.misery@chu-brest.fr
D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000502:physiology; D020078:Neurogenic Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications