Itchy Skin And Multiple Sclerosis

Pruritus refers to an unpleasant feeling that causes the need to scratch, commonly called itching. Itching may be localized to a certain area of the body, or can be all over, or generalized. When there is a rash that goes along with the pruritus, the cause is usually easily resolute and treated. However, the most difficult cases of pruritus are those without an associated rash. Pruritus and pain are closely related sensations, since the same nerves transmit both signals to the brain. When the area of skin is scratched, that same area may become even itchier, leading to more scratching. This is called the itch-scratch cycle.

In general, pruritus can be related to a problem with the skin or another underlying disease of the body (systemic disease). When itching is limited to a small area to a particular area of skin, it usually is not caused by a systemic infection. Itching can be caused by various reasons. It can be due to allergy or due to excess sweat during hot summer months. Often reaction to certain medicines also causes itching. Itching can be cured easily with the help of proper medication and guidance.

Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS) is an autoimmune situation in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to demyelization. Disease onset usually occurs in young adults, and it is more common in females. It has a prevalence that ranges between 2 and 150 per 100,000. MS was first described in 1868 by Jean-Martin Charcot. MS affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to co- ordinate with each other. Nerve cells communicate by sending electrical signals called action potentials down long fibers called axons, which are wrapped in an insulating substance called myelin.

In MS, the bodies own immune system attacks and affect the myelin. When myelin is lost, the axons can no longer effectively communicate. The name multiple sclerosis refers to scars in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord, which is mainly composed of myelin. Although much is known about the mechanisms involved in the disease process, the cause remains unknown. Different environmental risk factors have also been found.

Almost any neurological symptom can appear with the disease, and often progresses to physical and cognitive disability. MS takes several forms, with new symptoms occurring either in discrete attacks (relapsing forms) or slowly accumulating over time (progressive forms). Between attacks, symptoms may go away completely, but permanent neurological problems often occur, especially as the disease advances.

There is no known cure for MS. Treatments attempt to return function after an attack, prevent new attacks, and prevent disability. MS medications can have bad effects or be poorly tolerated, and many patients pursue alternative treatments, despite the lack of supporting scientific study. The diagnosis is difficult to predict; it depends on the subtype of the disease, the individual patient's disease characteristics, the initial symptoms and the degree of disability the person experiences as time advances. Life expectancy of patients is almost the same as that of the unaffected population.

• Matt Thompson
• 07/04/2009, 6:59 PM
• 0 Comments