itch

any skin disorder, such as scabies, characterized by intense itching

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

itch

[ich]

(physiology)

An irritating cutaneous sensation allied to pain.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Itch

a distressing sensation caused by constant weak irritation of the cutaneous nerve endings that are pain receptors and accompanied by the need to scratch the skin.

Itching may be stimulated by a number of metabolic products—for example, bile acids in jaundice. There is localized and universal (generalized) itching. Localized itching is found in certain inflammatory diseases of the skin. Causes of universal itching may be diseases of the skin proper, diseases of various internal organs (jaundice, diabetes mellitus); certain allergic states, and decrease in function of the sex glands. The very notion of a habitual source of itching familiar through past experience (for example, an insect bite) may produce the corresponding sensation of itching (conditioned-reflex itching). Itching may be chronic or come in attacks lasting from a few hours to many weeks. Scratching leads to disruption of the integrity of surface layers of the skin and to infection of itching areas, which may cause a secondary inflammatory disease of the skin.

Treatment of an itch consists in eliminating the disease that is causing it. Sedatives (bromine, valerian, calcium preparations) are prescribed and menthol and sea baths are applied externally. Hormone preparations are used for climacteric and geriatric itching. Localized itching can be prevented by the observance of personal hygiene.

V. S. ROTENBERG

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References in periodicals archive

This made the tingling sensation of the itch stop, the researchers wrote in the report published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Itching can be stopped by shining light on the skin -Scientists

"You can think of itch being transmitted from the skin to the brain as a series of switches that get flipped," said researcher Santosh Mishra.

How to beat eczema itch?

Patients were asked to complete the PDQ at the start of treatment, and the VAS score and itch intensity were determined at the same time.

Investigation of the Correlation between Postherpetic Itch and Neuropathic Pain over Time

This interaction appears to be important in producing inflammation and itch, he said.

WCM-Q Grand Rounds Addresses Debilitating Skin Condition

The Itch Eraser comes in three formulations: a maximum-strength gel, a maximum-strength spray and a sensitive cream.

Private Label Leads the Field in First Aid

and severity of ear itch in the patient group based on VAS scores (p=0.0001; r=0.724).

Demodex Species Infestation in Patients with Ear Itching and Its Relationship to Itch Severity / Kulak Kasintisi Olan Hastalarda Demodex Turlerinin Varligi ve Kasinma Siddeti Ile iliskisi

The first study comprised 32 healthy subjects in whom itch was induced with cowhage before and after skin treatment with the strontium gel, a control vehicle, topical 1% hydrocortisone, and topical 2% diphenhydramine (Acta Derm Venereol.

Strontium, ketamine target troublesome itch

Available in a gel, cream and spray, all of the products fight itch with a steroid-free antihistamine and other skin calming properties.

Erasing itches

"This is a major problem," says Gil Yosipovitch, a clinician at the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia and director of Temple Itch Center.

Nerve cells could block urge to scratch: neurons in spinal cord may curb itch caused by light tap on skin

A thoughtful serious fifteen year old with a passion for collecting all the elements in the periodic table, Itch's idealist zeal has led him into a number of very dangerous situations.

Mayo, Simon: Itchcraft