Itch and Psyche: Bilateral Associations

Abstract

The relationship between itch and psyche is complex and bilateral. Increasing interest in itch and its associations with psyche is indicated by the abundance of experimental and clinical articles published in this field. This review covers the pathogenesis of itch, associations with stress, the contagiousness of itch, psychological and psychiatric aspects related to itch, and the burden of itch with respect to impairment of health-related quality of life and stigmatization. Beginning from embryological development, skin and psyche are closely related to physiological state regardless of age. Altering the homeostasis of one of these components impacts on the other, thereby substantiating that the relationship between itch and psyche is bilateral. Itch has a complex pathogenesis, which involves the peripheral and central nervous systems, as well as various inflammatory mediators. This paper reviews key aspects of itch pathogenesis, relevant associations with stress, the contagiousness of itch, psychological and psychiatric considerations related to itch, and the burden of itch with respect to impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and stigmatization. Despite the fact that itch-psyche associations still pose many questions, current knowledge supports the role of a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to these patients in order to improve their well-being.

Effectiveness of Protective Preparations: Impact of Vegetable Oil Additives to Recipes

“…The vegetable oils which form a more or less close layer on top of the skin still allow it to breathe as TEWL indicates. [67,71,72] The observed TEWL decrease (improved skin barrier properties) confirms the www.advancedsciencenews.com www.ejlst.com efficacy of the studied preparations and this may result not so much from improved condition (elasticity) of the stratum corneum but also from entrapment of water in the skin due to the occlusivity of the studied vegetable oils. [69] The mechanism that protects the epidermis against water loss is the hydrolipid coat, and on the surface of the epidermis it is the presence of sebum, which includes, for example: triglycerides, diglycerides, free fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids), waxes, cholesterol and its esters, squalene, whose losses can be supplemented by the use of the hydrophobic preparations studied by us.…”

“…[64] Moreover, the occlusion after the application of hydrophobic preparations allows the increased hydration of stratum corneum (superhydration is unwanted), because the compounds from the groups such as sterols, ceramides, unsaturated free fatty acids, phospholipids, and triglycerides isolate keep water inside corneocytes. [65][66][67] As a result, skin hydration and barrier properties are improved, therefore the second factor that we took into account to evaluate the efficacy of the PCs was the effect of hydrophobic preparations on the condition of epidermal barrier (TEWL) and occlusion.…”

Catastrophizing thinking towards itch and pain in chronic itch patients

“…The link between the two was further demonstrated by the contribution of ICS-PCS interaction to the variability of itch intensity and the observation that higher clinical pain intensity and interference were associated with both itch and pain catastrophizing. Given that chronic itch patients perceive noxious stimuli as itchy rather than painful, and both share modulatory processing of descending inhibition, 9,10 it would follow that two parallel mechanisms evoking symptom's amplification or alleviation may exist for itch and pain. 4 In line, catastrophizing exerts its influence by augmenting body sensation awareness and elevating attention amplifying symptoms, or evoking negative expectations diminishing one's ability to recruit effective coping mechanisms.…”

Itch in the era of COVID‐19 pandemic: An unfolding scenario

“…It was clearly documented that, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, fear of the unknown raised anxiety level in the general population, 26‐28 as well as in health care workers 29 . It is known that stress, anxiety and fear may induce and/or exacerbate itch 6 . Although there are no studies available directly linking itch and stress in the time of the viral pandemic, one cannot omit the possible connection.…”

“…It occurs also in general population; it is especially common in elderly population 5 . It is well‐known that chronic itch may cause serious psychosocial consequences 6 …”