Treatment of pruritus by capsaicin in a patient with pityriasis rubra pilaris receiving RE-PUVA therapy.
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.
Neess
C M
CM
Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Germany.
Hinrichs
R
R
Dissemond
J
J
Herrmann
G
G
Poswig
A
A
Servera-Llanras
M
M
Hunzelmann
N
N
Brenneisen
P
P
Meewes
C
C
Krieg
T
T
Scharffetter-Kochanek
K
K
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
D002211:Capsaicin