{"title":"More than just dermatitis: The multifaceted nature of chronic itch through the historical perspective of Napoleon Bonaparte.","authors":"Zachary Leibovit-Reiben, Hannah Godfrey, Alissa Stanley, Rebecca Thiede","doi":"10.1016/j.clindermatol.2024.06.025","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Derived from the survival advantage needed to eradicate harmful irritants from the skin's surface, itch, also known as pruritus, is an intriguing phenomenon and a key feature of many dermatologic diseases. The pathologic form, chronic itch, is a condition that precedes itself by its complex pathophysiology, numerous etiologies, and interplay of mechanisms that often make it difficult to diagnose and treat. One particular sufferer of this condition, the 18th-century French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, makes for a compelling case study of the complexity of chronic itch. We delve into the many etiologies and mechanisms of chronic itch, using Napoleon's lifelong struggle with this condition as our model, identifying potential environmental, neurologic, psychiatric, and immunologic origins of his condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":10358,"journal":{"name":"Clinics in dermatology","volume":" ","pages":"709-714"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinics in dermatology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2024.06.025","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/6/28 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"DERMATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Derived from the survival advantage needed to eradicate harmful irritants from the skin's surface, itch, also known as pruritus, is an intriguing phenomenon and a key feature of many dermatologic diseases. The pathologic form, chronic itch, is a condition that precedes itself by its complex pathophysiology, numerous etiologies, and interplay of mechanisms that often make it difficult to diagnose and treat. One particular sufferer of this condition, the 18th-century French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, makes for a compelling case study of the complexity of chronic itch. We delve into the many etiologies and mechanisms of chronic itch, using Napoleon's lifelong struggle with this condition as our model, identifying potential environmental, neurologic, psychiatric, and immunologic origins of his condition.
期刊介绍:
Clinics in Dermatology brings you the most practical and comprehensive information on the treatment and care of skin disorders. Each issue features a Guest Editor and is devoted to a single timely topic relating to clinical dermatology.
Clinics in Dermatology provides information that is...
• Clinically oriented -- from evaluation to treatment, Clinics in Dermatology covers what is most relevant to you in your practice.
• Authoritative -- world-renowned experts in the field assure the high-quality and currency of each issue by reporting on their areas of expertise.
• Well-illustrated -- each issue is complete with photos, drawings and diagrams to illustrate points and demonstrate techniques.