Neuroscience

Not all itches are the same, according to the brain

Itch is a protective signal that animals use to prevent parasites from introducing potentially hazardous pathogens into the body. If a mosquito lands on a person's arm, they sense its presence on their skin and quickly scratch ...

Health

How to relieve itchy psoriasis

Skin issues can have a serious impact on your health and well-being. For the 7.5 million Americans living with psoriasis, itch can be the most bothersome part of their condition because it can make it difficult to sleep and ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Fatty acid affects sensitivity of psoriasis plaques to heat, pain

A common fatty acid found in the Western diet breaks down into compounds that contribute to increased temperature and pain—but not itch—sensitivity in psoriatic lesions. The finding could lead to better understanding ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Scientists identify sensor underlying mechanical itch stimulus

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have identified a protein in sensory nerves that works as a key detector of itch—specifically the "mechanical" itch stimulus of crawling insects, wool fibers, or other irritating ...

Medical research

Maddening itch of liver disease comes from a surprising source

A devastating itching of the skin driven by severe liver disease turns out to have a surprising cause. Its discovery points toward possible new therapies for itching, and shows that the outer layer of the skin is so much ...

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