Wounds 0118 lerner

Ethan Lerner provides an overview of the physiology of itch and discusses how and why wounds may develop itching. He summarizes that basic and clinical investigators are making progress in understanding the mechanisms and pathways of itch. Many cell types and mediators in the skin and wounds can contribute to the sensation of itch. While the role of histamine in itch is modest, many other factors like cytokines, proteases, and neuropeptides play a role. Certain wounds in specific patients, like those with epidermolysis bullosa, are more likely to develop itching, but the exact mediators that induce or inhibit itch in wounds require further study.