Appointments for “Pruritus Cutanea” are available exclusively at the Dermatology Outpatient Department of IC Clinic Shinjuku.
“What kind of condition is pruritus cutanea?”
“What causes pruritus cutanea?”
You may have questions like these.
Pruritus cutanea (skin pruritus) is a condition in which itching alone occurs throughout the body or in specific areas, with no visible changes to the skin’s appearance.
This article covers the four main causes of pruritus cutanea, how it is diagnosed, treatment approaches, and prevention methods.
If you are troubled by pruritus cutanea or would like to take preventive measures, please read on.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is Pruritus Cutanea?
- 2 What Causes Pruritus Cutanea?
- 2.1 Cause 1: Dry Skin
- 2.2 Cause 2: Medications
- 2.3 Cause 3: Internal Organ Diseases
- 2.4 Cause 4: External Factors
- 3 How Is Pruritus Cutanea Diagnosed?
- 4 Can Pruritus Cutanea Be Treated with Steroids? Treatment Approaches Explained
- 5 Can Pruritus Cutanea Be Prevented? Prevention Methods Explained
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Pruritus Cutanea
- 6.1 Can Pruritus Cutanea in the Genital Area Be Treated?
- 6.2 Why Does Itching Worsen at Night?
- 7 Consult IC Clinic for Pruritus Cutanea Treatment in Tokyo
What Is Pruritus Cutanea?
Pruritus cutanea is a condition in which itching occurs without any visible changes to the skin’s appearance.
It is more common in women, and is said to be particularly prevalent among pregnant individuals, people living with HIV, and those with chronic hepatitis C.
Itching may persist for extended periods throughout the body, or may come and go in waves — symptoms vary from person to person.
Itching may also tend to worsen at night, and some people find that it affects their sleep quality.
What Causes Pruritus Cutanea?
The main causes of pruritus cutanea include the following:
- Dry skin
- Medications
- Internal organ diseases
- External factors
The following sections explain each cause in detail.
Cause 1: Dry Skin
Dry skin is one of the causes of pruritus cutanea. When dryness weakens the skin’s barrier function, even minor stimuli can more readily trigger itching.
If dry skin is likely contributing to pruritus cutanea, the use of a moisturizer is recommended.
Dry skin is also commonly seen in people with the following conditions:
- Xerosis cutis (dry skin disorder)
- Atopic dermatitis
- Renal failure
- Hemodialysis
- Diabetes
- HIV infection
In xerosis cutis and atopic dermatitis, the skin’s barrier function is already weakened, making it easier for moisture to escape and leading to dryness. In people with diabetes, increased urination can reduce the body’s moisture levels, and disruption of the autonomic nervous system may make it harder to sweat, contributing to dry skin.
In people experiencing pruritus cutanea, conditions such as those listed above may be contributing to the dryness.
Cause 2: Medications
Medications are another potential cause of pruritus cutanea. Itching most commonly occurs as an allergic reaction to a medication, and in many cases symptoms subside once the medication is discontinued.
Examples of medications that may potentially cause itching include:
- Opioid preparations
- Hormonal agents
- Diuretics
- Antipyretic analgesics (pain and fever relievers)
- Antibacterial agents
While this is relatively uncommon, particular attention should be given to the possibility that medications may be causing itching in older adults who take multiple medications.
Cause 3: Internal Organ Diseases
Internal organ diseases are a third potential cause of pruritus cutanea.
Examples of relevant internal organ diseases include:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Endocrine disorders
- Blood disorders
- Internal malignancies (organ cancers)
For example, it is thought that in liver disease, an imbalance in the substances within the body that trigger itching leads to the appearance of skin pruritus.
Beyond internal organ diseases, gout and diabetes are also recognized as potential causes of pruritus cutanea.
Cause 4: External Factors
Pruritus cutanea may be triggered by a variety of external factors. Examples of external factors that may contribute include the following:
| External Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Bathing | · Water that is too hot · Scrubbing the skin too vigorously |
| Clothing | · Wool · Synthetic fibers |
| Food | · Hot foods · Spicy seasonings (strongly irritating foods) · Heavily seasoned foods |
| Indoor Environment | · Extremely high temperature or humidity · Extremely low temperature or humidity |
| Sweat | · Leaving sweat on the skin |
| Alcohol | · Vasodilation caused by alcohol |
| Stress | · Psychological stress |
To help prevent and manage pruritus cutanea, it is important to wash the body gently during bathing to reduce irritation to the skin, and to limit alcohol intake.
How Is Pruritus Cutanea Diagnosed?
Pruritus cutanea is diagnosed primarily through visual examination.
However, since the condition can be caused not only by dry skin but also by internal organ abnormalities, testing for underlying internal diseases may also be carried out.
Diagnostic tests may include:
- Blood tests
- Stool tests
- Contrast-enhanced CT scan
Blood and stool tests are used to examine blood composition, hormone levels, blood glucose, and other markers to help identify the cause of pruritus cutanea.
A contrast-enhanced CT scan is a type of CT examination in which a contrast agent is injected into the bloodstream to allow for more detailed imaging.
If no cause is identified even after these and other tests, the possibility of a psychiatric disorder should be considered.
Can Pruritus Cutanea Be Treated with Steroids? Treatment Approaches Explained
Pruritus cutanea is primarily treated with oral antihistamines and moisturization. Treatment with steroids is not a common approach.
This is because pruritus cutanea is often caused by dry skin. However, if scratching has led to the development of eczema, steroid treatment may be used in those cases.
Commonly used moisturizers include:
- Heparin-like substances (Hirudoid)
- Urea-containing preparations (Urepearl)
If these moisturizers do not provide sufficient improvement, it may be necessary to consider other approaches, such as adjusting lifestyle habits or treating any underlying internal conditions.
For more information on the effects and potential side effects of heparin-like substances mentioned above, please refer to the related article below.
Related article: What Are Heparin-Like Substances? Effects, Side Effects, and the Difference Between Heparin-Like Substance Oil Cream and Hirudoid Explained
Can Pruritus Cutanea Be Prevented? Prevention Methods Explained
To help prevent pruritus cutanea, daily skincare is important.
Keeping the skin clean is essential, and it is important to wash away sweat and dirt through daily bathing or showering.
When washing the body, use a soap that is not too harsh and avoid scrubbing the skin vigorously, in order to preserve the skin’s barrier function. It is also important to rinse away soap thoroughly, and lukewarm water is recommended for rinsing.
Additionally, maintaining an appropriate temperature and humidity in your living space can help keep the skin moisturized and may contribute to preventing pruritus cutanea.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pruritus Cutanea
Below, we address some frequently asked questions about pruritus cutanea.
Can Pruritus Cutanea in the Genital Area Be Treated?
Even when pruritus cutanea occurs in the genital area, it can be addressed by identifying and removing the underlying cause.
When itching in the genital area is persistent, it is often due to chronic eczema caused by prolonged irritation from underwear or sanitary products, or from sweat or vaginal discharge.
For pruritus cutanea in the genital area, wearing underwear with good breathability that is not too tight is considered an effective approach.
It is also important to maintain cleanliness, minimize irritation, and use appropriate topical medications.
Why Does Itching Worsen at Night?
The reason itching from pruritus cutanea tends to worsen at night is that body temperature rises during the night compared to during the day.
When body temperature increases, the activity of the nerves that transmit itching signals becomes more active, intensifying the sensation of itching.
Additionally, during the day many people are focused on work or study and may not notice the itching as much, whereas some people find that they become more aware of it at night.
There is no treatment approach specifically targeting nighttime pruritus cutanea, and it is managed through the same treatment methods used for the condition generally.
Consult IC Clinic for Pruritus Cutanea Treatment in Tokyo
Pruritus cutanea is often caused by dry skin; however, if no dryness is present, the possibility of an underlying internal condition should also be considered, and early medical attention is recommended.
Since pruritus cutanea can also be triggered by psychological stress or external factors, it is important to consider consulting a medical institution even when symptoms are mild.
If you are experiencing itching or dryness, please consult IC Clinic before symptoms worsen.
Appointments for “Pruritus Cutanea” are available exclusively at the Dermatology Outpatient Department of IC Clinic Shinjuku.
