pruritus
Urge to scratch
Pruritus is the medical term for itching—an uncomfortable sensation that provokes the urge to scratch.
Doctors use it when discussing persistent or pathological itching: The patient presented with severe pruritus.
The condition may result from skin disorders, allergic reactions, systemic diseases, or have no identifiable cause.
Inflammatory skin disorder
- psoriasisImmune system attacks skin cells
- dermatitisInflammation of the skin
- urticariaRaised itchy skin welts
- hivesRaised itchy skin reaction
scabies · contact dermatitis · neurodermatitis · fungal infection · pediculosis · insect bites · dry skin · rash
Irritating skin sensation
- scratchingRaking with nails
- tinglingSlight stinging sensation
- burningCombustion in progress
- stingingCausing sharp pain
crawling · prickling · tickling · irritation · discomfort · paresthesia
Allergy-response compound
- antihistamineDrug blocking allergic response
- allergensImmune reaction triggers
- allergic reactionImmune system's hostile response
- hypersensitivityExaggerated response to stimuli
hives · angioedema · drug reaction · food allergy · atopy · wheal · latex allergy · nickel allergy
Impaired hepatic bile drainage
- uremiaBlood toxicity from renal failure
- liver diseaseIllness affecting blood-filtering organ
- kidney diseaseImpaired renal function
- jaundiceYellowing from bile pigment
bile salts · diabetes · thyroid disorder · lymphoma · iron deficiency · malignancy
Drugs blocking allergic responses
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- calamineZinc oxide skin soother
- emollientsSkin-softening agents
- topical steroidsSurface-applied anti-inflammatory medications
moisturizers · phototherapy · menthol · capsaicin · naltrexone · oatmeal bath · hydrocortisone
eczema
Inflammatory skin disorder
- psoriasisImmune system attacks skin cells
- dermatitisInflammation of the skin
- urticariaRaised itchy skin welts
hives · scabies · contact dermatitis · neurodermatitis · fungal infection · pediculosis · insect bites · dry skin · rash · excoriation
itching
Irritating skin sensation
- scratchingRaking with nails
- tinglingSlight stinging sensation
- burningCombustion in progress
stinging · crawling · prickling · tickling · irritation · discomfort · paresthesia
histamine
Allergy-response compound
- antihistamineDrug blocking allergic response
- allergensImmune reaction triggers
- allergic reactionImmune system's hostile response
hypersensitivity · hives · angioedema · drug reaction · food allergy · atopy · wheal · latex allergy · nickel allergy
cholestasis
Impaired hepatic bile drainage
- uremiaBlood toxicity from renal failure
- liver diseaseIllness affecting blood-filtering organ
- kidney diseaseImpaired renal function
jaundice · bile salts · diabetes · thyroid disorder · lymphoma · iron deficiency · malignancy
antihistamines
Drugs blocking allergic responses
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- calamineZinc oxide skin soother
- emollientsSkin-softening agents
topical steroids · moisturizers · phototherapy · menthol · capsaicin · naltrexone · oatmeal bath · hydrocortisone
pruritusnumbness
Loss of sensation
anesthesia · insensibility · comfort · relief · analgesia
pruritusnumbness
Loss of sensation
sensory loss · desensitization · nerve block · anesthesia · paresthesia
- pruritus aniItching around the anus