title: Treatment of pruritus by capsaicin in a patient with pityriasis rubra pilaris receiving RE-PUVA therapy.
abstract: Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is characterized by redness of the skin, scaling and a variable degree of pruritus. We present a patient with extremely itchy PRP successfully treated with oral retinoids and photochemotherapy with 8-methoxypsoralene (RE-PUVA) and topical capsaicin. The PRP-related pruritus which clearly preceded photochemotherapy and for which no other cause was apparent was relieved with capsaicin. This single case report provides evidence that topical capsaicin may be a useful therapeutic option in treating PRP-associated pruritus where antihistamines have been unsuccessful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Neess
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hinrichs
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dissemond
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poswig
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Servera-Llanras
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hunzelmann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brenneisen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meewes
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krieg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scharffetter-Kochanek
mesh_terms: D002211:Capsaicin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010916:Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002211:Capsaicin