Pruritis

Question 1

What are the skin conditions that cause pruritus?

Answer 1

1. Dry and older skin
2. Scabies
3. Urticaria
4. Atopic eczema
5. Dermatitis herpetiformis
6. Lichen planus
7. Pemphigoid

Question 2

What are the systemic conditions that cause pruritus?

Answer 2

1. Iron deficiency (koilonychia, pallor)
2. Lymphoma (nodes, hepatosplenomegaly)
3. Hypo/hyperthyroidism
4. Liver disease (jaundice, spider naevi)
5. CKD
6. Malignancy (clubbing, masses)
7. Drugs (statins, ACEi, opiates, antidepressants)

Question 3

What are the work-up investigations to consider for pruritus?

Answer 3

FBC, ESR, ferritin, LFTs, U&Es, glucose, TSH, CXR

Question 4

What is the treatment for pruritus?

Answer 4

1. Treat primary disease
2. Emollients
3. Sedating antihistamines at night may be helpful