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Query: UMLS:C0033774 (pruritus)
 14,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Sensory irritation is directly bound to the concept of sensitive skin. A large proportion of the population, in particular young women, is affected. The reported symptoms are those of skin discomfort without any visible alteration of the skin. According to the subjects, the timing and the cutaneous sites, various perceptions occur, including pruritus, burning and stinging sensations. Sensory irritation is difficult to quantify because it remains subjective by essence. The condition is sometimes aggravated by some cosmetics, cleaning and cleansing products, wool contact and exposure to cold and dry climate. The responsible ingredients are often agents affecting functions of stratum corneum without being obvious chemical irritants.
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PMID:[Spotlight on sensory irritation and its treatment]. 1635 67

The forebrain neuronal system signaling pain has been poorly characterized. The pain pathway afferent to the thalamus may be a labeled line consisting of neurons in the pain-signaling pathway to the brain (spinothalamic tract, STT) that respond only to painful stimuli. It has recently been proposed that the STT contains a series of analog-labeled lines, each signaling a different aspect of the internal state of the body (interoception), for example, visceral/cold/itch sensations. In this view, pain is the unpleasant emotion produced by disequilibrium of the internal state. The authors now show that stimulation of an STT receiving zone (thalamic principal somatic sensory nucleus, ventral caudal) in awake humans produces two different exteroceptive responses. The first is a binary response signaling the presence of painful stimuli. The second is an analog response in which nonpainful and painful sensations are graded with intensity of the stimulus. Such stimulation can evoke both the sensory and emotional components of previously experienced pain. These results illustrate the diverse functions of human pain signaling pathways.
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PMID:Psychophysics of CNS pain-related activity: binary and analog channels and memory encoding. 1639 91

Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Mu) is an emerging public health problem. The cumulative number of cases in Ivory Coast was 10,382 in 1997. One of the key points of the Yamoussoukro "global initiative" in December 1997 involved detection and treatment of cases at the early-disease stage. The threefold purpose of this transversal study was to determine the frequency of nodular-stage Mu infection, to describe the features of the nodules, and to identify nodular features suitable for early screening use. Of the 93 nodules removed, 58.1% were due to Mu, indicating that the prevalence of nodular-stage Mu in Zoukougbeu, Ivory Coast was 9 per 1000 inhabitants. All Mu nodules were recent, caused pruritus, and displayed oedematous edges. The mean duration of disease was 23 months. In endemic areas, Mu infection should be suspected for any lesion that is of recent onset (< 5 year), shows visible elevation, has a diameter of 3 cm or more, or is mobile under the skin. Cold nodules that are adherent to the superficial skin layer and located on the limbs or firm cold nodules should also be considered as suspect. Excision of cold nodules caused by Mu is recommended. The wound heals within 4 weeks and no recurrences have been reported after 6-month follow-up.
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PMID:[Detection and treatment of early forms of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in Ivory Coast]. 1654 84

Itch is the major symptom of many allergic or inflammatory skin diseases; yet it is still difficult to measure objectively. Human studies on the physiology and pathophysiology of the itch sensation (e.g. functional magnetic resonance imaging studies) have been hampered by the lack of an efferent and manageable "on-off" stimulus. Here, a short-term temperature-modulated human histamine itch model is presented. In nine healthy right-handed male volunteers (age 29+/-2.6 years), 1% histamine dihydrochloride was used in the skin prick model as standard itch stimulus on the right forearm with subsequent thermal modulation of the target skin area using a Medoc TSA II NeuroSensory Analyzer thermode. Modulation occurred in rapid alternating order from 32 degrees C (neutral) to 25 degrees C (slight cold) and vice versa; each temperature block lasted 20 seconds. Subjective itch ratings were recorded using a computerized visual analog scale (VAS) and - for qualitative assessment - the Eppendorf Itch Questionnaire (EIQ). All subjects reported localized itch sensations without pain; mean VAS itch intensity was 50.6+/-3.5% during the 25 degrees C blocks and 33.8+/-3.9% during the 32 degrees C blocks (P<0.0001). Also, mean EIQ ratings were significantly higher related to the 25 degrees C blocks. In spite of the common knowledge that intensive cold can inhibit itch sensation, a reproducible, significant enhancement of histamine-induced itch by short-term moderate temperature decrease could be shown. This effect might be explained by peripheral and central adaptation processes triggered by alternating afferent activity patterns and might be used - owing to its "on/off" characteristics-in future itch physiology studies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging.
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PMID:Short-term alternating temperature enhances histamine-induced itch: a biphasic stimulus model. 1700 77

Pruritus, or itch, is a common sensation that causes a person to want to scratch. It is a complex process that may negatively impact quality of life and commonly occurs with skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis and urticaria. It could also be a symptom related to an underlying disease process such as cholestasis or hyperthyroidism, or simply be caused by dry skin, especially in the cold, winter months. Therapy is often aimed at eliminating the underlying cause first, followed by the management of the itchy sensation. Treatment may include prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, herbal remedies, hydrotherapy, phototherapy, and ultraviolet therapy. This overview provides information regarding the various management and treatment options for pruritus.
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PMID:Management and treatment of pruritus. 1736 13

Lice are obligatory parasites surviving on blood meals obtained from the host, with their mouthparts modified to enable piercing and sucking. The infestation with body lice, also known as pediculosis corporis, is a common worldwide problem that affects people of all races. Body lice are preferentially seen in cold climates, under conditions of poor sanitation and crowding. Pediculosis corporis is not only a disease in itself, but it can also be a source of bacterial infections. The hallmark of pediculosis corporis is pruritus and pyoderma of clothing covered areas. A more general reaction of fever, headaches, a diffuse rash, fatigue, and myalgias may appear a few weeks or months after the beginning of the parasitism. Treatment is comprised of improved hygiene and laundering of all the infested clothing, bedding and linens in hot water. Medical treatment involving pediculicides is required in large-scale infestations.
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PMID:Pediculosis corporis: an ancient itch. 1743 78

Chronic dialysis patients experience a host of conditions that limit quality and length of life, and recent therapeutic strategies have had only modest success in ameliorating many of these problems. By mediating cell membrane function and structure and the synthesis of lipid mediators such as eicosanoids, omega-3 fatty acids may offer dialysis patients a host of therapeutic benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids are derived primarily from dietary sources, and cold-water fish is the main source of eicosapentanoic and docosahexanoic acids, the two major bioactive omega-3 fatty acids. Studies of omega-3 supplementation in dialysis patients describe salutary effects on triglyceride levels, dialysis access patency, and perhaps uremic pruritus and oxidative stress. In contrast, the putative hematologic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antiarrhythmic effects are not as well documented. Adverse effects generally have been limited to gastrointestinal complaints. Unfortunately, the preponderance of published studies are characterized by suboptimal study design, small sample sizes, supraphysiologic omega-3 doses that may be difficult to consume for extended periods, little long-term follow-up, and a lack of confirmation of compliance. Not surprising, the 2005 National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease in Dialysis Patients recommend further research in this field. In summary, although preliminary data suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may have clinical benefits, formal recommendations encouraging omega-3 supplementation of dialysis patients are premature until long-term and adverse effects are better defined.
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PMID:Review of the effects of omega-3 supplementation in dialysis patients. 1769 7

Among various functions of the skin, the most vital one is carried out by the stratum corneum (SC), because the SC effectively protects our body from desiccation even in a dry environment as well as from external invasion of injurious agents. Despite the general decline of various bodily functions in advanced age, the barrier function of the SC does not deteriorate but rather improves with aging, reflecting the reduced epidermal proliferation associated with slower desquamation of the SC. Although the intercellular lipid production that is crucial for the SC barrier is reduced in aged epidermis, it is compensated by the thicker SC, consisting of larger corneocytes covering the aged skin surface due to the retardation of the desquamating process. However, such SC is deficient in water-binding capacity, another important function of the SC that keeps the skin surface soft and smooth, due to decreased amounts of water-binding substances in the SC. Thus, large portions of the covered skin begin to develop xerotic changes in a dry environment of winter, being frequently accompanied by pruritus. In contrast, most elderly individuals display the unique features of photoaging on their exposed skin such as the face and hands due to chronic exposure to the ultraviolet light (UV) of sunlight. However, functional derangements of the SC are rather mild in the photoaged skin. Our functional analyses of the SC of the chronically sun-exposed skin found in the symmetrical located areas, i.e., the dorsa of the hands in middle-aged Japanese golf players who always wore a glove only on the one of the hands demonstrated significant impairment in SC water-binding capacity in the sun-exposed side, while its barrier function was well retained. Despite the decreased water content of the SC, elderly people can live without any inconvenience even when they expose the facial skin to the dry environment of winter, because there take place sebum excretion and non-apparent sweating by comparison with the skin of the sun-protected areas such as the trunk and limbs that easily develop xerotic changes in cold seasons.
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PMID:Functional characteristics of the stratum corneum in photoaged skin in comparison with those found in intrinsic aging. 1796 72

Pruritus is a common complaint among patients of psoriasis vulgaris of the chronic plaque type. Despite a high prevalence of pruritus in psoriasis, limited information is available on this subject. The aim was to assess patients' perspective of pruritus in psoriasis vulgaris of plaque type, by using focus groups. A total of 20 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis participated in focus group discussions and were divided into five groups, on different occasions. Themes for the discussion were introduced and moderated by the investigators. The focus groups created a proper atmosphere for discussion on different aspects of pruritus in psoriasis. The patients regarded themselves able to discriminate between pruritus and pain. Pruritus was most common on the lower back and legs. Stress, cold weather and skin dryness were seen as the most common worsening factors for pruritus. Sunbathing and application of emollients with or without steroids and calcipotriol cream were suggested as factors that relieved pruritus. Quality of life was affected in some patients, for instance they were reluctant to participate in social activities. Patients' perspectives on pruritus in psoriasis were important for a better understanding of this sensation. The information collected from the focus group discussions might be useful for further study in this area.
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PMID:Focus groups in Swedish psoriatic patients with pruritus. 1818 68

Sensitive skin is a condition of subjective cutaneous hyperreactivity to environmental factors. Subjects experiencing this condition report exaggerated reactions when their skin is in contact with cosmetics, soaps and sunscreens, and they often report worsening after exposure to dry and cold climate. Although no sign of irritation is commonly detected, itching, burning, stinging and a tight sensation are constantly present. Generally substances that are not commonly considered irritants are involved in this abnormal response. They include many ingredients of cosmetics such as: dimethyl sulfoxide, benzoyl peroxide preparations, salicylic acid, propylene glycol, amyldimethylaminobenzoic acid and 2-ethoxyethyl methoxycinnamate. Sensitive skin and subjective irritation are widespread but still far from being completely defined and understood. The aim of this paper is to summarize the relevant literature in order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of sensitive skin and the best testing methodologies for investigation of sensitive skin.
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PMID:Sensitive skin: mechanisms and diagnosis. 1849 76


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