title: Holistic approach to treatment of intractable central neuropathic itch.
abstract: Central neuropathic itch can be a lifelong debilitating condition and treatment challenge. We report a patient with a traumatic brain injury with severe intractable pruritus who failed extensive pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment but responded to a holistic approach using healing touch. We discuss the complexity of this type of neuropathic itch and present a holistic approach as an adjunct to therapy in reducing itch intensity. This case presentation along with the literature discussed suggests a therapeutic strategy for the management of complicated central neuropathic itch.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. acurtis@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Ashley R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tegeler
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burdette
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yosipovitch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019124:Therapeutic Touch