Contenido:

ITCHING (PRURITUS)

Pruritus is a localised or generalised sensation that the patient tries to alleviate by scratching. It is a skin response to a wide range of physical and chemical stimuli.

It may be associated to skin conditions or general body diseases:

• Itching associated with a skin problem is usually localised, with skin lesions that justify it. The most frequent cause within this Group is skin dryness (xerosis); it usually affects people older than forty, and its most typical location is the legs.
  It may be due to skin parasites (refer to Chapter 8.36, SKIN PARASITES).
  Anal itching is a particular situation often caused by excessive sweating, dirtiness or
  or piles secretion. Worm infection must be excluded (refer to Chapter 8.30, WORMS).



• Pruritus associated with internal diseases is generalised, more or less severe, and no lesion to justify it is noticed. They may appear in liver, blood, kidney and thyroid diseases, diabetes, etc. or accompany nettle rash (refer to Chapter 2.1, SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION).
  The treatment of the itching will end the pruritus. Notwithstanding, as a general rule skin irritants should be avoided, such as synthetic fibres, soaps and detergents, keeping the skin well hydrated with lukewarm water showers and drying without rubbing. Try to avoid scratching; if it is unbearable, use the fingertips, not nails. In certain cases, talcum powder may alleviate it.

If itching becomes unbearable, seek MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .