A group of researchers has found a way to flip the switch on skin itch. According to a study conducted by the North Carolina State University, scientists have identified neuropeptide involved in transmitting itch signal to the brain in eczema. Researchers pinpointed a particular neuropeptide associated with transmitting itch signals in mice with atopic dermatitis.

The work shed further light on the pathways involved in transmitting itch sensations from the peripheral (skin) to the central (spinal cord) nervous system. "You can think of itch being transmitted from the skin to the brain as a series of switches that get flipped," said researcher Santosh Mishra. "The signal goes from neuronal projections in the skin through the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) - which are clusters of sensory cells located at the root of the spinal nerves - then to the spinal cord. We're interested in finding out how the portion of this pathway from DRG to spinal cord works in terms of signaling itchiness in chronic skin disease", added Mishra.