Pruritis (Itchy Skin)

What is pruritis?

Pruritis is the medical term for itchy skin – that causes and urgent desire to scratch the area.

What causes pruritis?

• Skin diseases such as allergic contact dermatitis, urticaria (hives), atopic dermatitis (eczema), pityriasis rosea, fungal infections such as tinea and jock? itch, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus (genital or anal itch).
• Allergies (dust or cat saliva)
• Insects and infestations such as lice, mosquitoes or scabies
• Excessive heating, too many blankets in bed or sitting too close to heaters, known as the “winter itch”
• Hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause. Loss of oestrogen can cause itchy hands and feet and also itching in the genital areas especially as well as prickling sensation or numbness of the skin.
• Common systemic diseases associated with itch include diabetes (yeast infections, poor circulation and lower leg itching) and thyroid disease (can cause dry skin).
• Less common causes of systemic itch include liver diseases (-, chronic renal failure or itch caused by drug reactions.
• Generalised itch along with tongue inflammation and angular cheilitus (inflammation of mouth corners) is also seen with iron deficiency aneamia.

• As difficult as it sounds, it’s important to  avoid scratching as much as possible, as this will further irritate your skin and could increase your risk for a skin infection. If you must scratch – wet your nails and cut them (easy to cut when wet).
• Bathe with lukewarm – not hot – water. Many eczema patients often avoid baths all together and  keep showers less than two minutes
• Always use “fragrance-free” lotions, soaps and detergents to minimize irritation.
• After your shower/bath, do not rub dry with a towel, pat instead.
• Seal in the hydrated skin, with moisturiser within three minutes of getting out of the shower.
• If applying moisturiser with a topical steroid, apply the moisturiser over the top of the steroid (not underneath it).
• Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes.
• Avoid temperature extremes. Maintain a relatively cool, neutral humidity environment in your house.
• Use a humidifier during winter if you are prone to dry skin and eczema.
• Reduce stress as much as possible, as stress can make your itch worse.
• Avoid known food allergens where possible. Common allergens include milk, eggs, nuts, soya and wheat.
• Consider probiotics, which many patients are increasingly using to help in the fight against eczema.

• If your itch does not go away with home treatment, speak to us about bulk-billed phototherapy (click here to learn more) which is helpful for itch associated with eczema, psoriasis, pityriasis and other itchy conditions. Dr Parisa may also recommend biological agents or systemic steroids.

• After a very quick shower, apply cortisone or creams as prescribed, to all areas affected with eczema. Then apply moisturiser over the cortisone ointments and to the whole of the body and face. After that do the 5 step wet wrap process.