Innovative management of pruritus.
Pruritus remains a significant problem facing dermatologists and can be associated with various dermatoses and systemic derangements. At times, one can treat the underlying cutaneous or systemic process to alleviate itch. However, it is frequently challenging to identify the cause of a patient's itch and, in this situation, even more difficult to manage the symptom effectively. In this article, the authors discuss the approach to a patient with generalized pruritus without clinically obvious dermatoses. They also addresses mechanisms and management modalities of itch in common systemic diseases, including cholestasis, uremia, and neuropathic dysfunction.
Department of Dermatology, University of California at San Francisco, 1701 Divisadero Street, 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
Jamison D
JD
Feramisco
Timothy G
TG
Berger
Martin
M
Steinhoff
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035703:Therapies, Investigational
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors