The pharmacology of itch

Abstract

The pharmacology of itch Pruritus, commonly known as itch, has a substantial impact on quality of life in skin disease. Irritation of one of the largest organs of the body does not just directly impact upon the organ itself but underlies a plethora of indirect consequences for the patient that goes way beyond the desire to scratch. The psychological issues associated with chronic pruritus combine with disfigurement from scratching and sleep disturbance to produce mental health problems in many cases. While itch may be a consequence of cutaneous inflammation, symptom improvement by modulation of pruritus represents an important pharmacological target. There has been a lot of activity in the field recently, at both pre-clinical and clinical ends of the spectrum, providing a compelling case for a joint virtual issue between the BJP and BJD with a focus on novel therapeutics for pruritus. As the editors of the two journals we have each picked seven recent articles to share with our combined audiences.