After Scratching Their Heads, Scientists Finally Find Answer To The Question 'Why We Itch'
What causes our itching? After much deliberation, scientists now know the solution.
Everyone has occasionally experienced the universal and frequently annoying sensation of itching. The urge to scratch is almost irresistible, whether in response to a mosquito bite, a rash, or just a strange itch that appears out of nowhere.
Scientists have studied the intricacies of itching for years to comprehend the mechanisms underlying this seemingly simple but complex sensation. With the help of recent research, we can better understand the mysteries surrounding itching, as it goes beyond just the surface of our skin.
Who Figured Out The Answer To 'Why We Itch'?
Credit: Canva
For the first time, researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered the precise mechanism by which a common skin bacterium causes itching by targeting our nerve cells.
What Did Scientists Expose?
When mice were exposed to the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on their skin, researchers noticed that their itching got worse over several days. This was due to the bacterium, which made the rodents extremely sensitive to light touches that ordinarily wouldn't itch.
Patients with eczema frequently experience this reaction, but it can also occur in healthy individuals¡ªjust picture the itchy Christmas sweaters you'll be wearing in a month. Several altered strains of Staphylococcus aureus were created, some of which were devoid of particular molecular components, to pinpoint the one bacterial enzyme that causes it to itch.
Credit: Pexels
This enzyme, known as V8, causes itching by causing the protein PAR1 to become active. It is present on skin neurons that transmit different signals to the brain, including pain, heat, and itching.
Human neurons were used in lab dishes for the experiments, and those neurons also reacted to V8. This held regardless of cells linked to allergic reactions or skin allergies.
After determining that PAR1 was the primary cause of itching, scientists set out to block it.
They tried an already-approved anti-clotting medication because the protein in question is also involved in blood clotting, and it was successful. After receiving treatment, itchy mice showed quick improvement in terms of their itching and any skin damage.
Credit: Pexels
Scientists think it might be the foundation of new creams and be utilised as a human anti-itch drug.
Where Did This Research Happen?
This research took place in the United Kingdom.
What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.
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