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Misery L, Dutray S, Chastaing M, Schollhammer M, Consoli SG, Consoli SM. Psychogenic itch. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:52. [PMID: 29491364 PMCID: PMC5830411 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0097-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychogenic itch can be defined as "an itch disorder where itch is at the center of the symptomatology and where psychological factors play an evident role in the triggering, intensity, aggravation, or persistence of the pruritus." The disorder is poorly known by both psychiatrists and dermatologists and this review summarizes data on psychogenic itch. Because differential diagnosis is difficult, the frequency is poorly known. The burden is huge for people suffering from this disorder but a management associating psychological and pharmacological approach could be very helpful. Classification, psychopathology, and physiopathology are still debating. New data from brain imaging could be very helpful. Psychological factors are known to modulate itch in all patients, but there is a specific diagnosis of psychogenic itch that must be proposed cautiously. Neurophysiological and psychological theories are not mutually exclusive and can be used to better understand this disorder. Itch can be mentally induced. Opioids and other neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine and dopamine, are probably involved in this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Misery
- French Psychodermatology Group, French Society of Dermatology, Paris, France. .,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France. .,Laboratory of Neurosciences of Brest, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France.
| | - Sabine Dutray
- French Psychodermatology Group, French Society of Dermatology, Paris, France ,0000 0004 0472 3249grid.411766.3Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - Myriam Chastaing
- French Psychodermatology Group, French Society of Dermatology, Paris, France ,0000 0001 2188 0893grid.6289.5Laboratory of Neurosciences of Brest, University of Western Brittany, Brest, France ,Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Unit of Liaison Psychiatry, Brest, France
| | - Martine Schollhammer
- French Psychodermatology Group, French Society of Dermatology, Paris, France ,0000 0004 0472 3249grid.411766.3Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - Sylvie G. Consoli
- French Psychodermatology Group, French Society of Dermatology, Paris, France
| | - Silla M. Consoli
- French Psychodermatology Group, French Society of Dermatology, Paris, France ,0000 0004 1788 6194grid.469994.fDepartment of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Paris-Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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