Evaluation of pruritus

Last reviewed: 6 Apr 2025
Last updated: 28 Sep 2023

Summary

Differentials

Common

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

Uncommon

  • Ascariasis
  • Amebiasis
  • Cutaneous larva migrans
  • Giardiasis
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Tapeworm infection
  • Trichinellosis
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis
  • Bullous pemphigoid
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
  • Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Polycythemia vera
  • HIV infection/AIDS
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Paraneoplastic pruritus
  • Brachioradial pruritus
  • Notalgia paresthetica
  • Brain tumor
  • 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, Sanofi Aventis, Trevi, and UCB and a principal investigator or sub-investigator in clinical trials sponsored by AbbVie, Almirall, Argenx, Biothera, Celltrion, Dermira, Drug Delivery Solutions Ltd, Galderma, Genentech, Incyte, Janssen, Kymab Limited, Leo Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, MetrioPharm, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi-Aventis, Trevi, and UCB.

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.

References

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Key articles

Ständer S, Weisshaar E, Mettang T, et al. Clinical classification of itch: a position paper of the International Forum for the Study of Itch. Acta Derm Venereol. 2007;87:291-294. Abstract

Millington GWM, Collins A, Lovell CR, et al. British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the investigation and management of generalized pruritus in adults without an underlying dermatosis, 2018. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Jan;178(1):34-60.Full text  Abstract

Weisshaar E, Szepietowski JC, Dalgard FJ, et al. European S2k guideline on chronic pruritus. Acta Derm Venereol. 2019 Apr 1;99(5):469-506. Abstract

Ständer S, Pereira MP, Berger, T; et al. IFSI-guideline on chronic prurigo including prurigo nodularis. Itch. 2020;5:e42.

Eichenfield LF, Tom WL, Chamlin SL, et al; American Academy of Dermatology. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis. Part 1: Diagnosis and assessment of atopic dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70:338-351.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.

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