Pruritus definition

Define pruritus - Pruritus is defined as itching. Pruritus is an itch or a sensation that makes a person want to scratch.

Many medical conditions cause pruritus, therefore pruritis itself is not a diagnosis.

Medical conditions that can cause pruritus
Many organ systems and diseases cause pruritus including dermatologic diseases, including xerotic eczema, atopic dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis.
   Causes of systemic pruritus include uremia, cholestasis, polycythemia vera, Hodgkin's lymphoma, hyperthyroidism, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Treatment of pruritus
Treatment of pruritus first has to be directed at finding the cause of the pruritus. Effective treatment of pruritus can prevent scratch-induced complications such as lichen simplex chronicus and impetigo. Patients, particularly elderly adults, with severe pruritus that does not respond to conservative therapy should be evaluated for an underlying systemic disease. Treatment of nonspecific pruritus is directed mostly at preventing xerosis.

Diagnosis of pruritus
Skin scraping, biopsy, or culture may be indicated if skin lesions are present. Diagnostic testing is directed by the clinical evaluation and may include a complete blood count and measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone, serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels. Chest X-ray and testing for HIV infection may be indicated in some patients.

Pruritus ani anal pruritus
Anal itching is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the urge to scratch. The intensity of anal itching increases from moisture, pressure, and abrasion caused by clothing and sitting. At its most intense, anal itching causes intolerable discomfort that often is described as burning and soreness. Not cleaning oneself well with tissue after passing a stool, and sitting on the remains of small amounts of stool left around the anus can cause anal pruritus.

Pruritus vulvae
A common cause of pruritus vulvae or vulvar pruritus is purulent vaginal discharge.

Chronic renal failure and pruritus
Histamine may be one of the reason of pruritus in patients with chronic renal failure.

Pruritus questions
Q. Does acne cause pruritus?
   A. Only infrequently.

uremic pruritus
aquagenic pruritus

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