title: Itch Management: Topical Agents.
abstract: Chronic pruritus is a common problem in patients with inflammatory skin diseases as well as in subjects with dry or sensitive skin. Regardless of the underlying cause of the pruritus, a topical therapy is not only useful but most often necessary to achieve symptom control. A good topical therapy should fulfill different functions. An optimal basic therapy based on the condition of the skin is important to repair epithelial barrier defects and to rehydrate the skin. An adequate disease-specific topical therapy is crucial for inflamed skin, e.g. anti-inflammatory topical therapy is an important part in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Finally, the use of specific antipruritic substances can help to improve pruritus in patients irrespective of the underlying disease. Here, we summarize topical agents used in the treatment of chronic pruritus.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Metz
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Staubach
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002164:Camphor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005990:Glycerol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008610:Menthol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017592:Skin Care; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014508:Urea / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000982:Antipruritics; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D008610:Menthol; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D002164:Camphor; D014508:Urea; D005990:Glycerol; D002211:Capsaicin