Pruritus Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Pruritus Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Pruritus Definition

Pruritus is a medical term used to describe complaints of itchy skin. Pruritus is not a type of disease, but a symptom of various other diseases that occur earlier.

These complaints can occur due to skin disorders, or due to diseases in the organs in the body. For example, due to kidney failure.

Pruritus Symptoms

Symptoms that accompany pruritus vary widely, depending on the cause of the pruritus. Some signs that can be seen in people with this condition are:

• If pruritus is caused by dry skin, other symptoms that can appear are the skin looking scaly, the skin looks gray in black people, and chapped lips that are quite severe.
• If eczema is the cause, the pruritus is often accompanied by the appearance of red spots on the cheeks, arms, and legs. In addition, complaints of itching usually appear after exposure to certain substances that often cause sufferers to be allergic, such as dust, heat, eating shrimp, and so on.
• If pruritus is caused by contact dermatitis, itching complaints usually appear sometime after someone uses certain items or substances. For example, after using non-gold jewelry, after washing with detergent, and so on. In addition, red spots also appear on the part of the skin affected by the substance that causes the allergy.
• If pruritus is caused by insect bites, then usually there will be abnormalities in the skin in the form of reddish bumps.

Pruritus Reason

There are many causes of pruritus. The most frequently encountered causes are:

• Dry skin

• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

• Contact dermatitis

• Insect bites

• Other causes, such as fungal infections, parasitic infections, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure

Pruritus Diagnosis

To ascertain the presence of pruritus and its causes, the doctor will collect various information from the patient and perform a thorough physical examination. Examination especially to see skin disorders that occur.

Not infrequently further examination will be needed in the form of examining skin scrapings. The goal is to find out more about the causes of pruritus.

Pruritus Treatment

Treatment of pruritus depends on the cause. If pruritus is caused by dry skin, then treatment with a moisturizer that is suitable for the person’s skin is sufficient to relieve itching.

Pruritus caused by eczema, dermatitis, and insect bites requires treatment with steroid creams to treat the inflammation that occurs. In addition, antihistamine tablets can also be given to help reduce itching.

Pruritus Prevention

To prevent pruritus, the most important thing to pay attention to is maintaining healthy and clean skin. Some other things that are also highly recommended are as follows:

• Use soap with a neutral pH

• Use mild soap and not a lot of foam

• Use a skin moisturizer after bathing

• Do not exchange towels and clothes with other people