Assessment of pruritus

Last reviewed: 25 Feb 2023
Last updated: 03 Mar 2022

Summary

Differentials

Common

  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Urticaria
  • Insect bite
  • Pinworm infection
  • Scabies
  • Lichen planus
  • Psoriasis
  • Skin xerosis
  • Cholestatic pruritus
  • Chronic renal failure (uraemic pruritus)
  • Postherpetic itch
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Drug-induced pruritus
  • Post-burn pruritus
Full details

Uncommon

  • Ascariasis
  • Amoebiasis
  • Giardiasis
  • Cutaneous larva migrans
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Tapeworm infection
  • Trichinellosis
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis
  • Bullous pemphigoid
  • Iron deficiency anaemia
  • Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Polycythaemia vera
  • HIV infection/AIDS
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Paraneoplastic pruritus
  • Brachioradial pruritus
  • Notalgia paraesthetica
  • Brain tumour
  • Stroke
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Psychogenic pruritus
  • Persistent delusional disorders
  • Filariasis
  • Strongyloides infection
Full details

Contributors

Authors

Jacek C. Szepietowski, MD, PhD
Jacek C. Szepietowski

Professor

Head of Department of Dermatology Venereology and Allergology

Wroclaw Medical University

Wroclaw

Poland

Disclosures

JCS is an author of a number of references cited in this topic. JCS is an investigator for Abbvie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Galapagos, InflaRX, Pfizer, UCB, Incyte, Janssen, Helm, Merck, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Regeneron, and Trevi; an advisor for AbbVie, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pierre-Fabre, Menlo Therapeutics, Sanofi Genzyme, Sienna Biopharmaceuticals, and Trevi; and a speaker for AbbVie, Berlin-Chemie Menarini, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, and SunFarm.

Adam Reich, MD, PhD
Adam Reich

Professor

Head of Department of Dermatology

University of Rzeszow

Poland

Disclosures

AR is an author of a number of references cited in this topic. AR is a consultant or speaker for AbbVie, Bioderma, Celgene, Chema Elektromet, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Medac, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Pierre-Fabre, Sandoz, and Trevi; and a principal investigator or sub-investigator in clinical trials sponsored by AbbVie, Drug Delivery Solutions Ltd, Galderma, Genentech, Janssen, Kymab Limited, Leo Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, MetrioPharm, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, and Trevi.

Peer reviewers

Sonia Stander, MD, PhD

Professor of Clinical Neurodermatology

Department of Dermatology

University Hospital

Münster

Germany

Disclosures

SS is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

Uwe Gieler, MD, PhD

Professor

Head of Department of Psychosomatic Medicine

Justus-Liebig University

Gießen

Germany

Disclosures

UG declares that he has no competing interests.

James De Bloom, MD

South Carolina Skin Cancer Center

Greenville

SC

Disclosures

JDB declares that he has no competing interests.

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    • British Association of Dermatologists’ guidelines for the investigation and management of generalized pruritus in adults without an underlying dermatosis
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