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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