Itching - research has barely scratched the surface

Article Abstract:

Itching is a major symptom of skin disease, and a common symptom of systemic diseases, or diseases that affect the entire body. There are no drugs that are specifically designed to stop itching, and very few researchers have examined the underlying causes of itching. The sensations of pain and itching are relayed to the brain by a set of nerve cells called the C fibers, but these two feelings may be transmitted by different groups of C fibers. Certain chemicals produced by the body may decrease or increase the sensation of itching. Systemic diseases that cause itching include thyroid gland disorders, diabetes and cancer. Itching in patients with the liver disorder cholestasis is associated with high blood levels of bile salts. The cause of itching in patients with kidney disease who undergo dialysis is not known. But a research study found that itching in these patients was associated with high blood levels of histamine. Treatment with erythropoietin decreased itching and lowered blood histamine levels in all of the patients except those with a thyroid gland disorder.

Editorial, Pruritus, Itching

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Autoantibodies against the high-affinity IgE receptor as a cause of histamine release in chronic urticaria

Article Abstract:

Autoantibodies against the alpha subunit of the high affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor may cause histamine release in patients with chronic urticaria. Chronic urticaria is a skin disorder characterized by recurrent, itchy lesions. Histamine is a substance that functions as a mediator of hypersensitivity, or an exaggerated immune response. A study examined histamine release in four patients with chronic urticaria of unknown cause. Autoantibodies against the alpha subunit of the high affinity IgE receptor were found in the peripheral blood of all four patients. Histamine release was induced by purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) from all four patients' blood. The purified IgG reacted almost completely with the alpha subunit of the high affinity IgE receptor. The antibodies against the alpha subunit may be histamine-releasing IgG autoantibodies.

Autoantibodies, Immunoglobulin G, Histamine

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Chronic urticaria

Article Abstract:

Chronic urticaria involves the dilation of capillaries in the skin, causing red skin rashes known as wheals. These rashes usually itch and last less than 24 hours. The rashes are caused by the release of histamines in skin tissue and the presence of lymphocytes and mast cells around the capillaries. Aspirin increases the risk of developing wheals in patients with chronic urticaria. Diagnosis of chronic urticaria should involve taking a history of medications used and eliminating the possibility of physical urticaria, in which rashes are caused by external stimuli. Unless a definite cause can be identified and eliminated, chronic urticaria may be treated with antihistamines. If antihistamines are not effective, a brief course of corticosteroids may be administered.

Care and treatment

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