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Profound inhibition of chronic itch induced by stimulation of thin cutaneous nerve fibres
Section for Neurophysiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Lund.
Section for Neurophysiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Lund. (Psykologi)
Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University of Lund.
Section for Neurophysiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Lund.
2004 (English)In: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, ISSN 0926-9959, E-ISSN 1468-3083, Vol. 18, no 1, p. 37-43Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that severe itch is common in many dermatological diseases, the therapeutic arsenal against itching is limited. From neurophysiological experiments, using a new technique termed cutaneous field stimulation, it is known that acute itch can be effectively relieved by stimulation of cutaneous nociceptors.

METHODS: We tested the effects of cutaneous field stimulation (25 min, 16 electrodes, 4 Hz per electrode, up to 0.8 mA) on chronic itch due to atopic dermatitis. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (100 Hz, up to 26 mA) was used for comparison. In 27 patients, itch was measured just prior to, during and at regular intervals up to 12 h after either type of treatment.

RESULTS: Both treatments augmented the itch sensation during ongoing stimulation, presumably reflecting an altered sensory processing in the somatosensory pathways of chronic itch patients. However, after cessation of cutaneous field stimulation, but not transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, the itch sensation was significantly depressed for up to 7 h. The peak inhibitory effect (about 25% of control) was reached between 1 and 5 h poststimulation. Neither treatment had any significant effect on alloknesis, as measured before and 10 min after stimulation.

CONCLUSION: It is concluded that cutaneous field stimulation strongly depresses chronic itch, and is a potentially useful symptomatic treatment of itch.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2004. Vol. 18, no 1, p. 37-43
Keywords [en]
dermatitis, itchy skin, pruritus, somatosensory, TENS
National Category
Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hkr:diva-5064DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.00724.xISI: 000189150600005PubMedID: 14678529OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hkr-5064DiVA, id: diva2:235667
Available from: 2009-09-17 Created: 2009-09-17 Last updated: 2017-12-13Bibliographically approved

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