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Love to scratch your back? Here's why
Monday January 30, 2012 08:47:21 AM,
IANS
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Washington:
An itch can be the most vexing when it occurs on your ankles or
your back, also providing the greatest relief when the particular
part is scratched, reveals a study pointing to specific nerve
fibres.
The results of a study show that an itch was perceived most
intensely at the ankle and back, while the perception of
scratching relief was less pronounced on the forearm.
"We first evaluated whether itch intensity was perceived
differently at three body sites, and then we investigated the
potential correlation between the pleasurability and the itch
relief induced by scratching," said Gil Yosipovitch, professor of
dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre, who led the
study.
While it is known that small nerve fibres are involved in
unpleasant sensations such as itch and pain, Yosipovitch along
with researchers now suspect that there are also specific nerve
fibres involved in pleasure.
Yosipovitch and colleagues induced itch on the ankles, forearms
and backs of participants with cowhage spicules, which are known
to cause intense itching, the British Journal of Dermatology
reported.
Itch intensity and scratching pleasurability were assessed every
30 seconds for a duration of five minutes using a Visual Analog
Scale (VAS) to rate intensity - 0 for no itch, up to 10 for
maximum unbearable itch, according to a university statement.
Their results show that an itch was perceived most intensely at
the ankle and back, while the perception of itch and scratching
relief were less pronounced on the forearm.
"Another major finding of the paper explains the pleasurability of
scratching the ankle appears to be longer lived compared to the
other two sites," said Yosipovitch.
"We see commonly involved areas such as the ankle and back in
itchy patients with skin disorders caused by eczema or psoriasis,"
he added.
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