Evaluation and Management of the Patient with Pruritus

Evaluation and Management of the Patient with Pruritus

Tamargo Kimberly; Funovits Angela; Nguyen Tam H; Manudhane Albert; Montañez-Wiscovich Marjorie E

Sn Comprehensive Clinical Medicine

2019

1905-7

Pruritus is a common presenting diagnosis associated with a myriad of localized and systemic conditions. Due to many underlying causes, it can be challenging for the provider to assess. Symptoms often persist, causing frustration for the patient and provider, as well as distress and impaired quality of life for the patient. When evaluating patients with neurodermatitis or pruritus in the absence of primary skin lesions, a full workup assessing for medication-induced disease and underlying systemic conditions is warranted. Treatment of the underlying cause, if found, is always recommended. For all patients, interventions such as moisturizing, avoidance of irritating agents, avoidance of heat, and stress reduction should be considered. Further management of symptoms can include topical, systemic agents or non-pharmacologic therapies such as phototherapy, transcutaneous and transcranial nerve stimulation, acupuncture, and psychosomatic therapy. This review focuses on the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of the patient with neurodermatitis. It will also provide a discussion of traditional and emerging therapies to help formulate diagnostic and treatment paradigms for these patients.

Dermatology; Pruritus; Itch; Neurodermatitis

Journal Article

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

797

10

1

2523-8973