Diagnosis of itching

---

Sevil Nagiyeva, gastroenterologist (Ukraine)

---

Itching is one of the most common complaints in dermatological practice, it can be both local and generalized. And although the pathogenesis of this phenomenon has not yet been fully revealed, and the elements underlying itching are sometimes so insignificant that the patient simply does not notice them, the diagnosis of itching should not be neglected, since it can precede the manifestation of serious somatic diseases Itching of the skin (pruritus, itching) - a feeling that causes the need to comb the skin, is one of the most common complaints in dermatological practice, and can be manifested in a wide range of general diseases [1, 2].

Theories of the nature of itching

There are several theories explaining the nature of such a phenomenon as itching. According to one of them, this is a type of pain: both in itching and in pain, the neuroanatomical pathways of excitation are common, but the sensory signs are different.

It is also known that humoral and vascular mechanisms are involved in the formation of pruritus. Some scientists believe that so-called biogenic amines are crucial in the development of this disease, others suggest that enzymes.

Histamine is the most thoroughly studied mediator of pruritus [7, 8], but other mediators play a role.

According to the classification, itching can be acute or chronic, localized (limited) or generalized (universal).

Full version of the access article in Ukrainian