Human Itch Models, with Special Emphasis on Itch in SLS-Inflamed and Normal Skin

Experimental itch studies have, until now, focused on eliciting itch by one or two mediators. In clinical dermatology, itch is typically seen in inflammatory dermatoses, containing a whole orchestra of inflammatory mediators. Consequently, several research groups have provided information about inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins and opiates, as being potentiators of conventional itch mediators (1,2). In this way, different mediators may contribute to itch sensation (3), and in particular, injection of two different mediators in normal skin has been studied (4), with synergy demonstrated (1,5,6).