Pruritus, Allergy and Autoimmunity: Paving the Way for an Integrated Understanding of Psychodermatological Diseases

September 2021 in “ Frontiers in allergy ”

Bárbara Roque Ferreira, José Luís Pio-Abreu, Américo Figueiredo, Laurent Miséry

TLDR The conclusion is that understanding the complex relationship between allergies, autoimmunity, and psychological factors is key to treating skin disorders with itching.

Pruritus, or itching, is a significant symptom in psychophysiological dermatoses, which are skin disorders with a psychological component. This review explores the biological mechanisms underlying pruritus, highlighting the role of mast cells in both allergic and autoimmune responses. Allergies, characterized by IgE-mediated hypersensitivity and Th2 responses, can evolve into autoimmune conditions with Th1 and IgE-independent inflammation, as seen in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Autoimmunity is also implicated in other psychodermatological diseases like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata, where mast cells contribute to symptoms like pruritus and hair loss. The review also discusses the psychosocial impact of skin and hair, the connection between psychopathology and skin disorders, and the role of mast cells in the circadian rhythm and stress response via interactions with melatonin and CRH. The evidence suggests a complex interplay between allergy, autoimmunity, and psychosomatic factors in these conditions, advocating for an integrated psychodermatological approach to treatment.

View this study on frontiersin.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege and Its Collapse in Alopecia Areata

134 citations, July 2020 in “Experimental dermatology”

Hair follicles are normally protected from the immune system, but when this protection fails, it can cause hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Stress-Induced Interaction of Skin Immune Cells, Hormones, and Neurotransmitters

88 citations, May 2020 in “Clinical therapeutics”

Stress can worsen skin diseases by affecting immune cells, hormones, and neurotransmitters in the skin.

research Frontiers in Alopecia Areata Pathobiology Research

55 citations, October 2019 in “The journal of allergy and clinical immunology/Journal of allergy and clinical immunology/The journal of allergy and clinical immunology”

The review suggests that other immune cells besides CD8+ T cells may contribute to alopecia areata and that targeting regulatory cell defects could improve treatment.

research Regulatory T-Cells in Alopecia Areata

21 citations, April 2019 in “Journal of cutaneous pathology”

People with alopecia areata have fewer regulatory T-cells than those with other skin conditions.

research Melatonin: A Cutaneous Perspective on Its Production, Metabolism, and Functions

185 citations, February 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Melatonin may benefit skin health and could be a promising treatment in dermatology.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Revisited: The Key to Alopecia Areata Management

102 citations, December 2017 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

Restoring hair bulb immune privilege is crucial for managing alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations, December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

research Scalp Itch: A Systematic Review

28 citations, November 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

The document concludes that accurate diagnosis and treatment of scalp itch require differentiating between various conditions using a proposed five-step evaluation process.

research Neuroimmunology of Stress: Skin Takes Center Stage

375 citations, July 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Stress can worsen skin and hair conditions by affecting the skin's immune response and hormone levels.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research The JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway: From Bench to Clinic

489 citations, November 2021 in “Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy”

The JAK/STAT pathway is important in cell processes and disease, and JAK inhibitors are promising for treating related conditions.

research Dupilumab: A Review of Present Indications and Off-Label Uses

50 citations, March 2021 in “Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology”

Dupilumab is being tested for many new skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal conditions.

research Urticaria, Drug Hypersensitivity Rashes, Nodules and Tumors, and Atrophic Diseases

4 citations, January 2012 in “Elsevier eBooks”

The document concludes that various skin conditions have specific treatments, ranging from antihistamines for urticaria to surgery and medication for tumors and chronic skin diseases.

research Cutaneous Drug Reactions

1 citations, January 2010 in “Elsevier eBooks”

Any drug can cause skin reactions, but antibiotics, NSAIDs, and psychotropic drugs are more common, with some reactions being life-threatening.

research Adult Skin Acute Stress Responses to Short-Term Environmental and Internal Aggression from Exposome Factors

37 citations, June 2021 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Adult skin quickly reacts to short-term environmental and internal stress, leading to various skin issues and the need for protective measures.