ABSTRACT
Acute itch. An unpleasant sensation which provokes the desire to scratch for a limited period of time ranging from seconds to a week. It is elicited by substantial inflammation or injury of body tissue and activation of pruritoceptive fibers at the site of local tissue damage. This alters the response of pruritoceptives, their central connections, and the autonomic nervous system in the region. The report of itch can stop long before healing has completed. The patient can still have erythema and eczema even though the itch has subsided. This type of itch is seen after insect bites, acute dermatitis, and some skin diseases.
