Mechanoreceptors are what the body uses to make decisions about the type of touch they are receiving, newly discovered C-tactile afferents play a specific role in transmitting the pleasurable properties of touch. Researchers hypothesis that stimulating C-tactile afferents with massage could, provide a non-pharmacological means of treating both the physical and psychological aspects of chronic skin conditions such as itch and eczema.

Lloyd, D. M., Mcglone, F. P., & Yosipovitch, G. (2015). Somatosensory pleasure circuit: From skin to brain and back. Experimental Dermatology Exp Dermatol,24(5), 321-324.