On February 17th, the New York Times ran an article about itch.   Read it here . The article points out that for a long time itching was overshadowed by pain in research and in treatment.  The story of Joshua Riegel, featured in the article, demonstrates how little we knew about chronic itch just five years ago.  His rare medical condition, (Epidermolysis Bullosa) which caused intense itching, was misdiagnosed as psychiatric.  No longer overshadowed by pain, itch has finally reached center stage.  The Ross Lab is excited to participate in this exciting new era of scientific research!

It feels good to scratch an itch.  Research has shown that scratching and itching active brain regions linked with reward, pleasure, craving and addiction.