Itch, also known as pruritus, is the major symptom in skin diseases with a variety of etiologies and pathophysiologies. Significant progress has been achieved in understanding the pathophysiology of itch in the last 5 years. Neurophysiological experiments in humans and animals have revealed that itch is carried by specific C nerve fibers. Recent studies have demonstrated that peripheral mediators other than histamine are involved in induction of itch. Mast cell tryptase seems to be an important mediator in itch by its activation of proteinase activated receptor 2 in the sensory nerves. Opioids have central and peripheral itch producing activity. Neuropeptides, such as substance P, induce itch by their effect on mast cells. Based upon our improved understanding of the neurophysiology of itch a clinical classification of itch has been proposed. The classification highlights differences between peripheral pruritoceptive itch, neuropathic itch (itch related to damage to afferent nerve fibers) and neurogenic itch (itch originating in the central nervous system without any evidence of nerve damage). Emerging therapies based on these findings include topical vanilloid receptor antagonists, topical antihistamines, and topical arachidonic acid inhibitors, as well as inhibitors of non-histamine inflammatory mediators, immunomodulators and strontium salts. Systemic therapies include thalidomide, opioid antagonists, phototherapy with narrow band UVB and experimental treatments with cutaneous field stimulation and vagal nerve stimulation. With the new information it seems we will be able to better help our dermatologic patients who have itch, however we are not closer to identifying a single agent specifically targetable to this symptom.
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science
1
3%
Other
3
9%
Unknown
14
41%
Attention Score in Context
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 5. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 14 October 2025.
All research outputs
#9,868,570
of 33,992,632 outputs
Outputs from American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
#694
of 1,328 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#67,921
of 221,536 outputs
Outputs of similar age from American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
#196
of 375 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 33,992,632 research outputs across all sources so far. This one has received more attention than most of these and is in the 70th percentile.
So far Altmetric has tracked 1,328 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a lot more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 15.0. This one is in the 47th percentile – i.e., 47% of its peers scored the same or lower than it.
Older research outputs will score higher simply because they've had more time to accumulate mentions. To account for age we can compare this Altmetric Attention Score to the 221,536 tracked outputs that were published within six weeks on either side of this one in any source. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 69% of its contemporaries.
We're also able to compare this research output to 375 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one is in the 47th percentile – i.e., 47% of its contemporaries scored the same or lower than it.
