[Chronic pruritus: principals of diagnostics and therapy].
Chronic pruritus (starting from 6 weeks duration) is symptom of dermatological, internal, neurological or psychiatric disease. Identification and treatment of the underlying diseases is of great importance especially in the initial phase of chronic pruritus in order to prevent peripheral and central sensitization processes and thus chronification. Application of the redefined clinical classification, newly defined clinical algorithms and inquiry of clinical characteristics of pruritus is helpful in finding the underlying disease. In chronic pruritus existing for several years, clarifying the underlying origin is difficult and therapies are often ineffective. Next to conventional therapies such as antihistamines and corticosteroids, central effective substances can be applied preventing pruritus sensation on spinal or cerebral level.
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Klinik und Poliklinik für Hautkrankheiten, Klinische Neurodermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Von-Esmarchstrasse 58, 48149 Münster, Germany. sonja.staender@uni-muenster.de
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011537:Pruritus / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000982:Antipruritics; D006633:Histamine Antagonists