The Itchy Patient: A Practical Approach

Abstract

Pruritus can occur as a primary condition or as a secondary manifestation of a primary cutaneous disease such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, miliaria, scabies, urticaria, or other conditions. This article deals mainly with pruritus as a primary condition. Pruritus ani, pruritus vulvae, and pruritus of the scalp are presented as localized disease. Generalized pruritus as a secondary symptom of an underlying systemic disease is also reviewed.