Increased touch-evoked itch (punctate hyperknesis) in postherpetic itch: Implications of reduced intraepidermal nerve fibers representing small fiber neuropathy.

Chronic itch conditions are often accompanied by neural itch sensitization, known as hyperknesis (excessive itch induced by stimuli that would normally induce only mild itching or pain) and alloknesis (considerable itch evoked by light tactile stimuli). Herpes zoster (shingles) can cause neuropathic itch (postherpetic itch), although it is unknown whether hyperknesis accompanies postherpetic itch. The authors report five patients with postherpetic itch who showed increased touch-evoked itch (punctate hyperknesis) in the affected skin areas compared with the contralateral site.