Therapy of pruritus.
BACKGROUND
Pruritus is the predominant symptom of skin disease. Owing to the poorly understood pathophysiology, the development of effective treatment modalities for pruritus has proven to be particularly difficult. At present, there is no universally accepted therapy for itch. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the treatment of pruritus.


METHODS
An overview of current, emerging and possible future therapies for pruritus is provided.


RESULTS
Insights into possible treatment regimes for pruritus in different clinical scenarios.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapy of pruritus is challenging and at present takes on an individualistic approach. Recent advancements in the mechanisms that underlie this distressing symptom have identified new targets for future therapy.
Patel
Tejesh
T
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Yosipovitch
Gil
G
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008610:Menthol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004643:Emollients; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D008610:Menthol; D002211:Capsaicin