Pruritis (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [2]

Overview

Pruritis is a symptoms of skin itching. Many diseases can cause this discomfort, such as allergic diseases, skin diseases, tumors, endocrine diseases and emotion changes. The diagnosis and treatment of pruritis depends on the underlying causes. It is also important to take care your skin to prevent pruritis.

What are the symptoms of pruritis?

Pruritis is intense itching sensation that makes the urge to rub or scratch the skin to relieve the symptom.

Who is at highest risk for pruritis?

• Allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, or allergic rhinitis.
• Skin diseases, such as psoriasis, bullous pemphigoid, or xerosis.
• Skin irritation: This may be from sunburn, insect bites, chemicals, soaps, poison ivy or other causes.
• Infections, such as scabies, chickenpox.
• Autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome and multiple sclerosis.
• Endocrine diseases, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism
• Tumors, such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, melanoma, stomach cancer, CNS carcinoma or breast cancer.
• Disorders with body-wide effects, such as chronic renal failure, iron deficiency anemia or jaundice.
• Psychological causes, including anxiety, psychosis or cocaine withdrawa.
• Drugs causes: Common drugs that cause itching include penicillin and sulfa antibiotics.

Treatment options

The goal of diagnosis is to identify the underlying causes of pruritis.

• Medical history of your skin itching and physical examination
• Special tests or other procedures may be needed in certain cases.

• Blood tests, such as complete blood count, glucose, liver function, renal function, and hormone tests.
• Skin biopsy: When skin cancer is suspected, your doctor may recommended a biopsy. During this procedure, a small piece of skin is removed and sent to the lab for further testing by a pathologist.
• Images, such as x-ray test, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI scan, may help diagnose the underlying causes of pruritis.

Treatment opinion of pruritis depends on the underlying cause.

• Treat the underlying causes, such as antibiotics for infection, surgery or radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a tumor.
• Change your life-style

• Avoid very hot water for wash
• Avoid stimulated soap when wash
• Decrease the times of wash
• Use moisture surge to protect your skin

• Medications

• Antihistamine medications, such as hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine, may help control itching.
• Corticosteroids cream, such as hydrocortisone cream, may also be available to relieve itching.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if symptoms of pruritis develop.

Where to find medical care for pruritis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating pruritis

Prevention of pruritis

• Avoid exposure on drugs or circumstances that may cause skin allergy.
• Maintain a good life-style, take care of your skin.

• Avoid very hot water for wash
• Avoid stimulated soap when wash
• Decrease the times of wash
• Use moisture surge to protect your skin

• Emotion management

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Prognosis of pruritis depends on the underlying cause.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003217.htm

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