Pruritic Condition

Aka: Pruritic Condition, Pruritus, Itch

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II. Definitions

  1. Pruritus
    1. Unpleasant cutaneous Sensation (itch) provoking scratching

III. Epidemiology

  1. Among the most common dermatologic symptoms
  2. Very common in elderly patients

IV. Pathophysiology

  1. Nerve fiber involvement
    1. Origin of itch is within skin Free Nerve Endings
      1. Fibers most concentrated in wrists and ankles
      2. Unmyelinated C fibers to dorsal horn in spinal cord
    2. Scratching is a spinal reflex response
    3. Ascends to cerebral cortex via Spinothalamic Tract
  2. Chemical mediators
    1. Substance P
    2. Opioid and nonopioid peptides
    3. Somatostatin
    4. Neurokinin A
    5. Histamine
    6. Serotonin
    7. Prostaglandins
  3. External mediators
    1. Skin inflammation
    2. Environmental heat or dryness
    3. Vasodilation
    4. Psychological concerns

V. Causes

  1. See Pruritus Causes

VI. Types: Chronic Pruritus Classification Groups

  1. Group 1: Pruritis on Diseased Skin
    1. Dermatologic causes
  2. Group 2: Pruritus on Non-Diseased Skin
    1. Systemic, neurogenic or psychogenic causes
  3. Group 3: Chronic reactive lesions from skin manipulation (rubbing, picking, scratching)
    1. Mixed presentations and complications from primary condition

VII. Evaluation

  1. Identify primary Dermatologic Causes of Pruritus
    1. Atopic Dermatitis: Atopy, Asthma, or Urticaria
    2. Contagious contacts (Pediculosis or Scabies)
    3. Pathognomonic skin lesions (e.g. Psoriasis, Eczematous Dermatitis, Dermatophytosis)
    4. Consider Localized Causes of Pruritus
    5. Consider Timing (Xerotic Eczema worse in winter)
  2. Identify potential exposures
    1. See Medication Causes of Pruritus
    2. Travel history and new animal exposures (fleas, Scabies, Dermatophytosis)
    3. Contagious Contacts (e.g. Parvovirus B19, Varicella)
    4. Consider Environmental Causes of Pruritus (e.g. solvents, cleaners, adhesives)
      1. See Allergic Contact Dermatitis
      2. See Occupational Contact Dermatitis
      3. See Irritant Contact Dermatitis
      4. Ask about new skin or hair products (e.g. soaps, lotions, detergents, cosmetics)
      5. Consider Photodermatitis
  3. Review mental health concerns (e.g. Major Depression)
  4. Consider Systemic Causes of Pruritus
    1. Observe for cholestasis (e.g. Jaundice, Hepatomegaly)
    2. Consider Renal Failure Associated Pruritus (e.g. Nausea, decreased Urine Output, Fatigue)
    3. Consider Thyroid disease (esp. Hyperthyroidism)
    4. Consider malignancy (e.g. Night Sweats, weight loss, Fatigue, Lymphadenopathy)

VIII. Labs: Evaluation

  1. Approach
    1. Base lab testing on history and physical
    2. Avoid broad shotgun approach to lab testing
    3. Consider lab testing in >2 weeks of persistent Pruritus without other obvious causes
  2. Dermatologic Cause Evaluation
    1. Skin Scrapings for Scabies and Dermatophytosis
    2. Skin biopsy
      1. Mastocytosis
      2. Mycosis Fungoides
      3. Autoimmune Bullous Disease
  3. Systemic Cause Evaluation (esp. age >65 years, generalized Pruritus, chronic Pruritus >6 weeks)
    1. Thyroid Function Test (evaluate for Hyperthyroidism)
    2. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
    3. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
      1. Serum Creatinine
      2. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
      3. Liver Function Tests (evaluate for cholestasis)
        1. Serum Bilirubin
        2. Alkaline Phosphatase
    4. Iron Studies
      1. Serum Ferritin
      2. Serum Iron
      3. Iron binding capacity
    5. Other labs to consider
      1. HIV Test
      2. C-Reactive Protein
      3. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

IX. Imaging: Systemic Cause Evaluation

  1. Chest XRay (if Lymphoma suspected)
  2. Right upper quadrant Ultrasound (for cholestasis)

X. Complications: Persistent Scratching

  1. Bacterial superinfection
  2. Prurigo Nodularis
  3. Lichen Simplex Chronicus
    1. Thickened skin in response to repeated scratching

XI. Management

  1. See Nonspecific Management of Pruritus

XII. References

  1. Shellow in Goroll (2000) Primary Care, p. 1001-4
  2. Bernhard (1990) Adv Dermatol 6:57 [PubMed]
  3. Fleisher (1995) Adv Dermatol 10:41 [PubMed]
  4. Garden (1985) Arch Dermatol 121(11):1415-20 [PubMed]
  5. Gilchrest (1982) Arch Dermatol 118(3):154-6 [PubMed]
  6. Greco (1992) J Gen Intern Med 7:340 [PubMed]
  7. Gupta (1992) J Am Acad Dermatol 27(1):118-20 [PubMed]
  8. Hagermark (1995) Semin Dermatol 14:320 [PubMed]
  9. Kam (1996) Anaesthesia 51:1133 [PubMed]
  10. Kantor (1995) Semin Dermatol 14:290 [PubMed]
  11. Millikan (1996) Postgrad Med 99:173 [PubMed]
  12. Moses (2003) Am Fam Physician 68(6): 1135-42 [PubMed]
  13. Reamy (2011) Am Fam Physician 84(2): 195-202 [PubMed]
  14. Rupert (2022) Am Fam Physician 105(1): 55-64 [PubMed]
  15. Swerlick (1985) J Am Acad Dermatol 13(4):675-7 [PubMed]
  16. Teofoli (1996) Int J Dermatol 35:159 [PubMed]
  17. Valsecchi (1983) Arch Dermatol 119(8):630 [PubMed]

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