A D P Papoiu1, H Wang, R C Coghill, Y-H Chan, G Yosipovitch. 1. Department of Dermatology Neurobiology & Anatomy Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence suggests that 'contagious' itch occurs in daily life when we see other people itch and scratch. This phenomenon has not previously been studied systematically, and factors which can amplify itch perception were unknown. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether exposure to visual cues of itch can induce or intensify itch in healthy subjects and patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: Participants received histamine or a saline control delivered to the forearm and were asked to watch short video clips of people scratching. Spontaneous scratching induced by visual cues was monitored and analysed. RESULTS:Patients with AD reported a higher itch intensity and scratched more frequently while watching itch videos, even in the presence of mock itch stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: Human susceptibility to develop itch when exposed to visual cues is confirmed; it appears to be amplified in patients with AD. These findings suggest that interpersonal social cues can dramatically alter the subjective sensory experience of itch.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence suggests that 'contagious' itch occurs in daily life when we see other peopleitch and scratch. This phenomenon has not previously been studied systematically, and factors which can amplify itch perception were unknown. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether exposure to visual cues of itch can induce or intensify itch in healthy subjects and patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS:Participants received histamine or a saline control delivered to the forearm and were asked to watch short video clips of people scratching. Spontaneous scratching induced by visual cues was monitored and analysed. RESULTS:Patients with AD reported a higher itch intensity and scratched more frequently while watching itch videos, even in the presence of mock itch stimuli. CONCLUSIONS:Human susceptibility to develop itch when exposed to visual cues is confirmed; it appears to be amplified in patients with AD. These findings suggest that interpersonal social cues can dramatically alter the subjective sensory experience of itch.
Authors: Antoinette I M van Laarhoven; Ineke M van der Sman-Mauriks; A Rogier T Donders; Mathilde C Pronk; Peter C M van de Kerkhof; Andrea W M Evers Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2014-12-01 Impact factor: 8.551
Authors: V Napadow; A Li; M L Loggia; J Kim; I Mawla; G Desbordes; P C Schalock; E A Lerner; T N Tran; J Ring; B R Rosen; T J Kaptchuk; F Pfab Journal: Allergy Date: 2015-09-10 Impact factor: 13.146
Authors: Henning Holle; Kimberley Warne; Anil K Seth; Hugo D Critchley; Jamie Ward Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-11-12 Impact factor: 11.205