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Aetiology

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This symptom may due to skin disease or systemic disease. Pruritus may also be idiopathic. The site most clearly linked to pruritus is the dermo-epidermal junction.

Pruritus can be either acute or chronic, with the chronic form lasting for 6 weeks or longer.

Chronic pruritus can be classified according to skin changes or based on aetiology.

Clinical classification of chronic pruritus according to skin changes may be characterised as;

itching on primarily diseased, inflamed skin

pruritus on primarily normal, non-inflamed skin

itchy skin with chronic secondary scratch lesions. (1)

Reference:

  1. Ständer S, Weisshaar E, Mettang T, et al. Clinical classification of itch: a position paper of the International Forum for the Study of Itch. Acta Derm Venereol. 2007;87:291-294.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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