title: Water-induced itching.
abstract: In this paper the current knowledge on water-induced pruritus is reviewed. To the present, three forms, namely aquagenic pruritus (AP), aquagenic pruritus of the elderly (APE) and water-related itching in polycythemia rubra vera (PRV), have been recognized. Despite clinical similarities it appears that the pathophysiology is different in the three forms. The currently most effective treatment for AP is addition of sodium bicarbonate to the water, control of xerosis with emollients for APE and aspirin for water-induced itching in PRV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bircher
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D014867:Water / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients; D014867:Water