Scratching increases epidermal neuronal branching and alters psychophysical testing responses in atopic dermatitis and brachioradial pruritus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic scratching imposes a major stress on the skin and can lead to itch intensity worsening, and consequently, patients may enter an itch-scratch cycle. This repetitive mechanical stress can result in lichenification, worsening of epidermal barrier function, and enhanced cutaneous inflammation. Furthermore, a reduction of intraepidermal nerve fibers was previously described in lichenification.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of chronic scratching on the epidermal neuroanatomy and on sensory changes, in particular the prevalence of hyperknesis and alloknesis in patients after mechanical, chemical, and electrical stimuli.

Methods

Analyses were performed on pruritic lichenified (chronically scratched), pruritic non-lichenified (no

SUBMITTER: Renkhold L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10546039 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature