Healthcare

Researchers studying the source of itching in skin diseases like dermatitis and eczema have made significant progress.

Why it matters: According to Harvard Medical School researchers whose study was published in the journal Cell on Wednesday, the discovery that bacteria can cause itching by triggering skin nerve cells may one day aid in the treatment of itches associated with inflammatory skin conditions.

According to a statement released with the study, "Up until now, the itching that is associated with eczema and atopic dermatitis was thought to originate from the accompanying inflammation of the skin." The common bacteria S. aureus, however, "single-handedly causes itch" according to the new research because it releases an enzyme that "culminates in the urge to scratch."

The National Eczema Association estimates that 31.6 million Americans, or 10.1% of the population, suffer from eczema, with early childhood being the peak period for prevalence.

The big picture: Human and mouse cells served as the research subjects for the scientists.

A significant discovery was made by the researchers when they found that anticlotting medication that has already received approval stopped mice's itching by blocking a protein known as PAR1.

According to study co-author Isaac Chiu, an associate professor of immunology at Harvard Medical School, "we've identified an entirely novel mechanism behind itch — the bacterium Staph aureus, which is found on almost every patient with the chronic condition atopic dermatitis."

"We show that itch can be caused by the microbe itself."

Between the lines: According to Stat News, this is among the first studies to demonstrate a "clear mechanism" linking bacteria and itching. Brian Kim is a physician-scientist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and was not involved in the study.

"It kind of makes you wonder ... what else did we miss?'"

Emma Wedgeworth, a consultant dermatologist, expressed hope that the discovery "will translate into new treatment options helping to tackle the misery of itch and eczema," according to The Guardian, despite the opinion of some experts that more human studies were necessary.

What's next: According to the Harvard statement, the researchers intend to investigate whether microbes other than S. aureus can cause itching.

"We know that many microbes, including fungi, viruses, and bacteria, are accompanied by itch but how they cause itch is not clear," Chiu stated.

Furthermore, the researchers indicated that they could investigate the more general query: Why would a microbe cause itching? in the future. In terms of evolution, what's in it for the bacterium?

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