Pruritus: from etiopathogenesis to treatment




Joana Calvão, Servicio de Dermatologia e Venereologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Ricardo Vieira, Servicio de Dermatologia e Venereologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Américo Figueiredo, Servicio de Dermatologia e Venereologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal


Itching is a common symptom, affecting up to 38% of the population at some point in life and being a frequent motive of dermatology consultation. Although being multifactorial, many aspects of its pathophysiology continue to be elucidated. Its etiology is variable (hepatic and/or renal diseases, senile pruritus, ...), so a complete anamnesis, physical examination and complementary diagnostic tests guided by clinical suspicion are essential. Therapy is also highly diversified, depending on the cause of the itch and what we find in the diagnostic process. Thus, with this review article, the authors intend to update the most recent literature regarding pruritus, from its etiopathogenesis to treatment.



Keywords: itch, pruritus, review article, dermatology.