Feeling itchy? Scientists are working to unravel the mysteries behind chronic itch
Chronic itching can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, yet it remains poorly understood in many ways. Researchers are approaching the puzzle of why we itch from various angles.
Candice Coghlan’s experience sheds light on the profound implications of chronic itching. During her high school years, she frequently missed class due to intense itching on her legs, back, and scalp, unaware that it was a symptom of an underlying condition. Upon returning home during her second year of university, she experienced weight loss alongside the skin issues. Following a blood test, she was urgently instructed to go to the emergency department. At 38 years old, she was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure, realizing that the itching she attributed to ordinary psoriasis was actually a sign of her failing kidneys. The toxins attempting to escape through her skin due to her kidneys’ inability to process them caused extreme itchiness.
Coghlan underwent more than a year of dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant from her mother in September 2009. It was then that she noticed the cessation of her chronic itching, highlighting the profound connection between chronic itching and underlying health issues.
Chronic itching can serve as an indicator of a deeper, underlying problem such as liver or kidney disease, as evidenced by Coghlan’s case. However, even when the cause is less severe, the itching itself can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, according to dermatologists.
Scientists are actively pursuing answers to the mysteries surrounding chronic itching, including its contagious nature and the reasons behind persistent scratching. From the physical act of scratching the skin to the neuronal activity in the brain, researchers are dedicated to unraveling the complexities of itching.
Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis, a dermatologist based in Regina, frequently treats atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema. She emphasizes that the itching associated with this condition can be as detrimental to patients as chronic pain on a mental health level, shedding light on the often misunderstood and overlooked nature of chronic itching.
