Medical term:

pruritus



pruritus

 [proo-ri´tus]
an unpleasant sensation of the skin, provoking the desire to scratch or rub it; called also itching. adj., adj prurit´ic. It is common in many types of skin disorders, especially allergic inflammation and parasitic infestations. Systemic diseases that may cause pruritus include diabetes mellitus (pruritus vulvae) and liver disorders with jaundice. Hemorrhoids are often accompanied by rectal pruritus. Emotional distress plays an important role in the development and control of this disturbing symptom. Unless pruritus is relieved the patient may become exhausted from lack of sleep. Cleanliness, soothing ointments or lotions, sodium bicarbonate baths, and sometimes tranquilizing drugs are used in the relief of pruritus. Since it is a symptom of some other disorder, complete cure of pruritus depends on control of the primary illness.
pruritus a´ni intense chronic itching in the anal region.
pruritus seni´lis itching in the aged, due to degeneration of the skin.
uremic pruritus generalized itching associated with chronic renal failure and not attributable to other internal or skin disease.
pruritus vul´vae intense itching of the external genitalia in the female.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

itch·ing

(itch'ing),
An uncomfortable sensation of irritation of the skin or mucous membranes that causes scratching or rubbing of the affected parts.
Synonym(s): pruritus (1)

itch·ing

acarophobia.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

pruritus

(pro͝o-rī′təs)
n.
Severe itching, often of undamaged skin.

pru·rit′ic (-rĭt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

pruritus

Itching
McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

itch

(ich)
1. A peculiar irritating sensation in the skin that arouses the desire to scratch.
Synonym(s): pruritus (2) .
2. Common name for scabies
[A.S. gikkan]

itch·ing

(ich'ing)
An uncomfortable sensation of irritation of the skin or mucous membranes that causes scratching or rubbing of the affected parts.
Synonym(s): pruritus (1) .
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

pruritus

Itching. The term is often linked with a word that indicates the site, as in pruritus ani or PRURITUS VULVAE.
Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Pruritus

An itching sensation or feeling. In PV the itching is not confined to a specific part of the body and is usually worse after a warm bath or shower.
Mentioned in: Itching, Polycythemia Vera, Scabies
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

itch

(ich)
An irritating skin sensation that arouses scratching.
Synonym(s): pruritus.
[A.S. gikkan]
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Patient discussion about pruritus

Q. Is itching related to breast cancer? Something I want to know on itching and breast cancer. Is itching related to breast cancer?

A. Generally itchiness is a common skin condition and the more troublesome form may be called eczema. There is a type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer were the area of skin over the tumor can become red, inflamed, painful and itchy & this condition is called Paget's disease of the nipple, which is associated with breast cancer, can cause itchiness. It’s advisable to have yourself screened by doctor as the inflammatory breast cancer is very quick in its growth and late diagnosis is a bad idea.

Q. after a pedicure, the soles of my feet are dark w/freckles, skin is itchy/thick, my derm says its eczema,help! the pedicure was in fall, 2002. I mad a mistake and wore nylon boots during a storm, the dye never fully disappeared. I would scrub the soles of my feet until I couldn't walk. However, within the last 4 months both heels are itchy, thick, dark-er and now they both have dark legions/ freckles have formed.

A. Are you sure you are going to a clean sterile saloon? It is very important to make sure they use sterile tools for a pedicure because they can transfer fungal infections very easily. Either way you should see a dermatologist to get the right kind of cream treatment for your feet.

Q. I suffer from an itchy skin that appears as a wealt my doctor says it is contact dermitis, or is it uticaria I have numerous spots appearing on my neck shoulders elbows and buttocks, they vary from small itchy spots to quite large weals they come and go, I am on antihistamines, but they only give relief occasionally, the weals and terrible itching is worse at night, and I find it difficult to sleep because of the intense itching, my gp says it may be 'contact' dermititis, but I think it may be uticaria, can you help please

A. Urticaria (AKA Hives) is the name of this bulging red rush of yours. 'contact' dermatitis is an allergic reaction that can be shown as hives. so it's pretty much the same thing. i suggest try and find out what is the cause of all this- there must be a reason for that allergic reaction. start by when the rash started and what is the material you were exposed to in that area of time.

More discussions about pruritus
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