Itching

Itching is skin tingling or irritation that makes you want to scratch the itchy area. It's a symptom of many health conditions. Common causes are

Allergic reactions
Eczema
Dry skin
Insect bites and stings
Irritating chemicals
Parasites such as pinworms, scabies and head lice
Pregnancy
Rashes
Reactions to medicines

To soothe itchy skin, you can try cold compresses, lotions and lukewarm baths. Avoid scratching, wearing irritating fabrics and high heat and humidity. Most itching is not serious. However, if you itch all over, have hives that keep coming back or have itching without an apparent cause, you might require medical attention.

Itch on Wikipedia

An '''itch''' ( felt on an area of skin that makes a person or animal want to scratch it.

Mechanism

The central chemical in itch is histamine, a molecule released by mast cells in the skin. Histamine is the chemical that causes the itch and reddening when bitten by insects. It binds to local nerve endings on specific receptor (proteomics). Itch from cutaneous (skin-related) stimuli, such as movement of small hairs on the body, is transmitted along the same pathway as pain. Itch caused by histamine is transmitted to the brain by a different neural pathway, described in 2001 by Andrew ''et al''. As with pain, histamine-induced itch travels via the spinothalamic tract, but in fibres specific for itch.

Causes

The feeling of itchiness can be caused by movement of hairs, or release of a chemical (histamine) from cells under the skin. Itchiness is regarded as protective, as it helps creatures remove parasites that land on them. Other causes for itching can be: * Dermatology (such as psoriasis, eczema, sunburn and many others). Most are of inflammatory nature. * Jaundice (bilirubin is a skin irritant at high concentrations) * Infection with lice or worms * Medication: ** Allergy ** Photodermatitis - (sun)light reacts with chemicals in the skin, leading to the formation of irritant metabolites ** Directly (e.g. morphine)

Treatment

Itching can be treated directly with an antipruritic.

References

* Andrew D, Craig AD (2001). Spinothalamic lamina I neurons selectively sensitive to histamine: a central neural pathway for itch. ''Nature Neuroscience'' Jan;4(1):9-10. [ Read More ]

External Resources

Allwatchers Review - The Seven Year Itch - Analytical review of the plot, setting, theme, and structure of the Marilyn Monroe film, and links to similar movies.

TV Guide Online: The Seven Year Itch - Review, synopsis, and credits.

IMDb: The Seven Year Itch (1955) - Synopsis, cast information, and user reviews.

An Itch to Scratch - Site exclusively devoted to Itchy and Scratchy, including their history, images, filmography, episode guide, and merchandise as well as a tour of Itchy & Scratchyland.

CanEHdian.com: Platinum Blonde - Review of the band's "Seven Year Itch" release, by Keith Pettipas.

Q Magazine: Rid of Me - "It starts with the musical equivalent of an itch. Sure enough, just when you've keyed into the mood, the track explodes in your face with a massively over-cranked, woofer-and-tweeter-threatening bombardment of noise."

Itch, The - Official site of northern Ohio variety rock band. Includes news, tour dates, and pictures.

Itch: The Reading Series - Toronto's newest reading series and open-mic night, which features urban writers.

PleaseOhPlease - Redundant Spinal Cord - Thoughts from a woman in her mid-20's "scratching a slight narcisistic itch."

Joyful Hands - Organic, vegan and holistic products such as shampoo, anti-itch spray, supplemental powders, treats and baked products.