Pruritus

Pruritus is characterized by the occurrence of itching; in fact, pruritus is itching. It may coexist with, or be entirely unaccompanied by, organic change in the skin; and a knowledge of the conditions under which it occurs is essential.

Pruritus occurs in the course of most inflammations of the skin; in connection with rheumatic manifestations; the circulation of morbid elements, as bile, urinary excreta; elevations of temperature, senile decay of the skin, gastrointestinal disturbance, nervous disease, Bright's disease, genitourinary and uterine derangements, sedentary habits, and stimulating diet; it is also occasioned by local causes; about the rectum by ascarides and piles, and over the body in various parts by parasites (animal or vegetable). When pruritus is spoken of in the abstract, itching, as constituting the primary and sole disease present, is signified, and the nervous character of the itching is frequently shown by its sudden appearance, its almost as sudden disappearance, and often its marked tendency to periodicity.

Pruritus may be general or local, and it is very generally followed by secondary changes in the skin. When general it is due to the causes of more general operation, mentioned above.


When pruritus occurs, of course in most cases the patient scratches more or less violently for the relief of the itching, and this induces certain special diseased conditions. In fact, the phenomena of a scratched skin are produced, or what is termed a "pruriginous eruption".

In certain cases pruritus exists in the first place as apparently the sole disease, and in which scratching is practiced, and eruptions follow. These conditions we will now discuss.