Pain inhibits itch, but not in atopic dermatitis?

We read with great interest the article by Vakharia et al1 in a recent issue of the Annals. The prospective study comprehensively addresses an overlooked aspect of the sensory symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). In 305 patients with AD, the study reported that pain was found in 42.7% and that 30.2% rated the cutaneous pain intensity as being moderate to very severe. This pain incidence is aligned with a previous study on the AD itch characteristics.2 Vakharia et al1 consistently found cutaneous pain to be associated with reduced quality of life (including: Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, ItchyQOL, and Dermatology Life Quality Index) and to a lesser extent with objective disease severity.

https://ift.tt/2FB5DgP