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We all felt the uncomfortable feeling of itching. For many years, scientists suspected that the pain and itching were the same, only differentiated by their intensity: the itching was simply a mild pain and the pain was a severe itch.
But we now know that these two sensations are perceived very differently. Recent research has shown that itching is detected by one's own dedicated nerves, regardless of the path of pain.
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How do we feel itching?
Acute itching (known as medically pruritus) is usually caused by a harmful element, such as stinging insects or allergic chemicals on the skin, as a warning signal to protect us from potential threats.
After detecting these stimuli, skin cells (called keratinocytes) communicate with the immune cells located between the layers of the skin. In order to eliminate any potential invading pathogen, immune cells release chemicals such as histamine, serotonin, and proteases. These then activate the sensory fibers that initiate the transmission of a warning message.
Several different molecules and cells in the nerves and brain of animal models have been shown to be responsible for transmitting the itchy signal from the skin to the brain through the spinal cord.
Traditionally, itching is separated into two ways, depending on whether or not they respond to antihistamine medications (it is the medicine you are taking to prevent hay fever). Histamine activates its own sensors, while the other type (non-histaminergic pruritogens) uses other receptors to trigger itch-sensing cells.
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The interaction between itching and pain / touch
Pain and itching are clearly distinct sensations that provoke different responses. When your hand detects a fire, you will certainly withdraw your hand immediately; On the other hand, when you are stung by a mosquito, you scratch yourself to get rid of the irritation without hesitation. It tells us something about the level of threat badociated with each sensation.
Although the itch has its own messengers, the sensation also shares some sensors with the sensations of pain and touch. That's why pain can compensate for the itchy feeling, such as when you apply frozen peas on irritated skin such as eczema. And why a light touch can cause itching (tickling).
Why scratch both annoyances and improve itching
Usually, when we feel an itch, we scratch it. But sometimes, the more we scratch, the more we feel itching. This vicious itch-scratch cycle becomes a serious problem for patients with dry skin and dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
In fact, excessive scratches damage your skin or cause a secondary infection (such as a fungal infection), which aggravates the itching.
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Treatment of itching
Scratching can be the most convenient and effective way of removing irritants when you feel irritated by an insect bite or a poisonous plant. But for severe itching from other factors such as dry skin (xerosis), eczema, liver disease or kidney failure, you may need to seek medical treatment .
Your doctor will prescribe a medicated cream to apply on the scab site. This could be an antifungal cream to kill the fungus that has developed.
The use of cold water, menthol or anti-itch creams can help soothe sensory fibers from itching and reduce the intensity of itching. Antihistamines such as loratadine (brand name Claratyne) and fexofenadine (brand name Telfast) can help relieve the persistent itching caused by allergies and insect bites.
For chronic itching badociated with skin conditions, internal diseases, neurological diseases or other emotional problems, unfortunately, there is currently no effective treatment against itching, because we do not know exactly what is happening in the skin. brain to cause itching in these circumstances. If itching persists or worsens, stop scratching and consult a doctor.
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