An intense itching sensation.

Symptoms of Pruritus

The following features are indicative of Pruritus:
  • redness
  • bumps
  • blisters
  • dry skin
  • cracked skin
  • leathery skin texture

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Common Causes of Pruritus

The following are the most common causes of Pruritus:
  • allergic reactions
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • irritating chemicals
  • parasitic infections

Other Causes of Pruritus

The following are the less common causes of Pruritus:
  • rashes
  • pregnancy
  • use of certain drugs such as antibiotics, antifungal drugs or narcotic pain medications
  • nerve disorders
  • dermatitis
  • hives
  • psoriasis
  • sunburn
  • impetigo

Risk Factors for Pruritus

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Pruritus:
  • allergic reactions
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • exposure to irritating chemicals
  • during pregnancy
  • narcotic pain medications
  • nerve disorders
  • dermatitis
  • hives
  • psoriasis
  • sunburn
  • impetigo
  • Pityriasis rosea

Prevention of Pruritus

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Pruritus. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • cleaning and drying the infected area
  • do not scratch the affected skin
  • wear loose clothing
  • take lukewarm baths
  • apply ointments or gels

Occurrence of Pruritus

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Pruritus cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Pruritus can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Pruritus can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Pruritus

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Pruritus:
  • Blood test: To detect the cause of itch
  • Chest X-rays: To detect the disease causing itching

Complications of Pruritus if untreated

Yes, Pruritus causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Pruritus is left untreated:
  • skin injury
  • infection
  • scarring

Procedures for Treatment of Pruritus

The following procedures are used to treat Pruritus:
  • Light or Phototherapy: To bring itch under control

Self-care for Pruritus

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Pruritus:
  • Avoid scratching the itchy areas: Helps in preventing the disease spreading
  • Wear soft and comfortable clothing: Wear loose and soft clothes
  • Take lukewarm bath: Take lukewarm water bath with mild soap or take oatmeal bath
  • Apply lotion regularly: Apply mild soothing after bath lotion
  • Avoid direct exposure to sun
  • Use sunscreen moisturizer: Use moisturizer or sunscreen in sunlight

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Pruritus

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Pruritus:
  • Acupuncture therapy:To relieve the symptoms of itching
  • Do yoga: To reduce stress-induced itching

Time for Treatment of Pruritus

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Pruritus to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 3 - 6 months

Is Pruritus Infectious?

Yes, Pruritus is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
  • from one person to other

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Pruritus.

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