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Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications01:23

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications

Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used for various applications in medical and dental procedures. Some of the common agents used are cocaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine.
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Anthelminthic Agents01:15

Anthelminthic Agents

Anthelmintic drugs differ significantly from antiparasitic therapies targeting protozoa, primarily due to differences in parasite biology. Whereas most protozoal treatments act on proliferating cells, anthelmintics are typically directed against mature, nonproliferative helminths. The therapeutic approach considers the helminth's reliance on neuromuscular coordination, glucose metabolism, and microtubular integrity for survival, reproduction, and localization within the host. Most anthelmintics...
Hand hygiene01:23

Hand hygiene

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacokinetics01:24

Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacokinetics

Cholinergic antagonists—such as antimuscarinics—are available in oral, topical, ocular, parenteral, and inhalational formulations. Most antimuscarinics are oral formulations,  while scopolamine is available as a topical patch, and ipratropium and tiotropium are available as inhalation aerosols or powders. Atropine, tropicamide, and cyclopentolate are topically instilled in the eye. Most antimuscarinics are lipid-soluble and readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and the conjunctiva.
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes01:22

Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes

Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection,  and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs through the...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses01:26

Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses

Antimuscarinic drugs have various therapeutic applications by inhibiting parasympathetic stimulation in different systems. Here are the key therapeutic uses of antimuscarinics:    
Respiratory Tract: Ipratropium, aclidinium, and tiotropium treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They protect against bronchoconstriction caused by irritants like cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. They also help reduce nasopharyngeal secretions in common...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
04:59

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors

Published on: September 27, 2019

Topical therapies for pruritus.

Sarina B Elmariah1, Ethan A Lerner

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
|July 20, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Itch relief remains a challenge, with no single treatment universally effective. This review explores current and future topical therapies for managing pruritus, focusing on various treatment targets.

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Last Updated: May 30, 2026

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Published on: September 27, 2019

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pruritus (itch) is a primary symptom of many skin conditions, often debilitating.
  • Current antipruritic treatments lack universal efficacy due to unclear disease pathophysiology.
  • Topical therapies are crucial for localized itch or when systemic treatments are unsuitable.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing topical treatments for pruritus.
  • To discuss emerging and future therapeutic strategies for itch management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current and emerging topical antipruritic therapies.
  • Analysis of therapeutic targets including epidermal barrier, immune, and nervous systems.

Main Results:

  • Topical therapy remains a cornerstone in managing localized or acute itch.
  • A variety of targets are addressed by current antipruritic approaches.
  • Future therapies may offer novel mechanisms for itch control.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of pruritus requires addressing diverse underlying mechanisms.
  • Topical treatments offer a vital approach, with ongoing research into future options.