Biomed Radio - Washington University School Of Medicine In St. Louis

People who suffer itching with no clear cause may have defects in their immune systems that haven’t been recognized. In a small study of patients who struggle with itching but have no known cause, researchers from the Center for the Study of Itch at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis identified several immune system irregularities that may underlie the urge to scratch. The patients suffer from what doctors call chronic idiopathic pruritis. Studying blood samples and skin biopsies, the researchers have found some very unusual things in the immune systems of these patients. SOME PEOPLE SUFFER HAVE BAD PROBLEMS WITH ITCHING BECAUSE THEY HAVE A RASH OR SOME OTHER SKIN CONDITION. BUT OTHERS HAVE ITCHING PROBLEMS WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE. NOW RESEARCHERS FROM THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF ITCH AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ST. LOUIS HAVE IDENTIFIED DEFECTS IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEMS OF SOME PATIENTS WITH THAT TYPE OF ITCHING THAT MAY UNDERLIE THE URGE TO SCRATCH. JIM DRYDEN HAS MORE… ALT