The effect of escalating heat stimulation on top of anesthetized skin

Abstract

The relationship between itch and heat pain has been vastly explored. A 70-year-old study, showed the development of paradoxical itch following heat stimulation of anesthetized skin. The aim of this study was to re-evaluate, with more modern technologies and systematic approaches, this paradoxical itch effect. Escalating heat stimuli were applied to the local anesthetized skin of 19 healthy subjects, itch, and pain intensities were continuously assessed during the stimulation. As expected, pain sensation was significantly reduced by local intradermal anesthesia, however, no paradoxical itch sensations were observed for any of the stimulation temperatures.