Pruritis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{SI}} | {{SI}} | ||
{{CMG}}; Jinhui Wu, MD | {{CMG}}; Jinhui Wu, MD '''Associate Editor-In-Chief''': [[User:Ujjwal Rastogi|Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS]] [mailto:urastogi@perfuse.org] | ||
== | ==Overview== | ||
Pruritis is a symptoms of skin [[itching]]. Many diseases can cause this discomfort, such as allergic diseases, skin diseases, [[tumor]]s, endocrine diseases and emotion changes. The diagnosis and treatment of pruritis depends on the underlying causes. It is also important to take care your skin to prevent pruritis. | Pruritis is a symptoms of skin [[itching]]. Many diseases can cause this discomfort, such as allergic diseases, skin diseases, [[tumor]]s, endocrine diseases and emotion changes. The diagnosis and treatment of pruritis depends on the underlying causes. It is also important to take care your skin to prevent pruritis. | ||
== | ==What are the symptoms of pruritis?== | ||
Pruritis is intense [[itching]] sensation that makes the urge to rub or scratch the skin to relieve the symptom. | Pruritis is intense [[itching]] sensation that makes the urge to rub or scratch the skin to relieve the symptom. | ||
==Who is at risk for pruritis?== | ==Who is at highest risk for pruritis?== | ||
:*Allergic diseases, such as [[atopic dermatitis]], [[contact dermatitis]], or [[allergic rhinitis]]. | :*Allergic diseases, such as [[atopic dermatitis]], [[contact dermatitis]], or [[allergic rhinitis]]. | ||
:*Skin diseases, such as [[psoriasis]], [[bullous pemphigoid]], or [[xerosis]]. | :*Skin diseases, such as [[psoriasis]], [[bullous pemphigoid]], or [[xerosis]]. | ||
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:*Drugs causes: Common drugs that cause itching include [[penicillin]] and [[sulfa antibiotic]]s. | :*Drugs causes: Common drugs that cause itching include [[penicillin]] and [[sulfa antibiotic]]s. | ||
== | ==Treatment option== | ||
The goal of diagnosis is to identify the underlying causes of pruritis. | The goal of diagnosis is to identify the underlying causes of pruritis. | ||
*Medical history of your skin [[itching]] and [[physical examination]] | *Medical history of your skin [[itching]] and [[physical examination]] | ||
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:*Images, such as [[x-ray]] test, [[ultrasound]], [[CT]] scan or [[MRI]] scan, may help diagnose the underlying causes of pruritis. | :*Images, such as [[x-ray]] test, [[ultrasound]], [[CT]] scan or [[MRI]] scan, may help diagnose the underlying causes of pruritis. | ||
Treatment opinion of pruritis depends on the underlying cause. | Treatment opinion of pruritis depends on the underlying cause. | ||
*Treat the underlying causes, such as [[antibiotics]] for [[infection]], [[surgery]] or [[radiation therapy]] or [[chemotherapy]] for a [[tumor]]. | *Treat the underlying causes, such as [[antibiotics]] for [[infection]], [[surgery]] or [[radiation therapy]] or [[chemotherapy]] for a [[tumor]]. | ||
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:*[[Antihistamine]] medications, such as [[hydroxyzine]] and [[diphenhydramine]], may help control [[itching]]. | :*[[Antihistamine]] medications, such as [[hydroxyzine]] and [[diphenhydramine]], may help control [[itching]]. | ||
:*[[Corticosteroid]]s cream, such as [[hydrocortisone]] cream, may also be available to relieve [[itching]]. | :*[[Corticosteroid]]s cream, such as [[hydrocortisone]] cream, may also be available to relieve [[itching]]. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | |||
Call your health care provider if symptoms of pruritis develop. | |||
==Where to find medical care for pruritis?== | ==Where to find medical care for pruritis?== | ||
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Prognosis of pruritis depends on the underlying cause. | Prognosis of pruritis depends on the underlying cause. | ||
== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www. | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003217.htm | ||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
[[Category:Patient Information]] | [[Category:Patient Information]] | ||
[[Category:Dermatology patient information ]] | |||
[[Category:Mature chapter]] | |||
Revision as of 15:26, 1 August 2011
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [2]
Overview
Pruritis is a symptoms of skin itching. Many diseases can cause this discomfort, such as allergic diseases, skin diseases, tumors, endocrine diseases and emotion changes. The diagnosis and treatment of pruritis depends on the underlying causes. It is also important to take care your skin to prevent pruritis.
What are the symptoms of pruritis?
Pruritis is intense itching sensation that makes the urge to rub or scratch the skin to relieve the symptom.
Who is at highest risk for pruritis?
- Allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, or allergic rhinitis.
- Skin diseases, such as psoriasis, bullous pemphigoid, or xerosis.
- Skin irritation: This may be from sunburn, insect bites, chemicals, soaps, poison ivy or other causes.
- Infections, such as scabies, chickenpox.
- Autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome and multiple sclerosis.
- Endocrine diseases, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism
- Tumors, such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, melanoma, stomach cancer, CNS carcinoma or breast cancer.
- Disorders with body-wide effects, such as chronic renal failure, iron deficiency anemia or jaundice.
- Psychological causes, including anxiety, psychosis or cocaine withdrawa.
- Drugs causes: Common drugs that cause itching include penicillin and sulfa antibiotics.
Treatment option
The goal of diagnosis is to identify the underlying causes of pruritis.
- Medical history of your skin itching and physical examination
- Special tests or other procedures may be needed in certain cases.
- Blood tests, such as complete blood count, glucose, liver function, renal function, and hormone tests.
- Skin biopsy: When skin cancer is suspected, your doctor may recommended a biopsy. During this procedure, a small piece of skin is removed and sent to the lab for further testing by a pathologist.
- Images, such as x-ray test, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI scan, may help diagnose the underlying causes of pruritis.
Treatment opinion of pruritis depends on the underlying cause.
- Treat the underlying causes, such as antibiotics for infection, surgery or radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a tumor.
- Change your life-style
- Avoid very hot water for wash
- Avoid stimulated soap when wash
- Decrease the times of wash
- Use moisture surge to protect your skin
- Antihistamine medications, such as hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine, may help control itching.
- Corticosteroids cream, such as hydrocortisone cream, may also be available to relieve itching.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if symptoms of pruritis develop.
Where to find medical care for pruritis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating pruritis
Prevention of pruritis
- Avoid exposure on drugs or circumstances that may cause skin allergy.
- Maintain a good life-style, take care of your skin.
- Avoid very hot water for wash
- Avoid stimulated soap when wash
- Decrease the times of wash
- Use moisture surge to protect your skin
- Emotion management
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Prognosis of pruritis depends on the underlying cause.