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Pruritus pp 219–224Cite as

Notalgia Paresthetica

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Abstract

Notalgia paresthetica is a chronic pruritic condition typically localized to scapular area of the back which may be accompanied with other paresthetic sensations. It is considered to be a localized neuropathy and the dermatological findings consisting of a hyperpigmented patch with indefinite borders and mild lichenification in some cases are secondary to chronic scratching. Notalgia paresthetica is mainly a disease of the middle aged and a majority of cases are women. Among various hypotheses, including one with a hereditary component, nerve entrapment due to various musculoskeletal factors appears to be the the most likely candidate responsible for pathogenesis. Current list of therapeutic alternatives which offer transitory relief includes capsaicin, gabapentin and various modes of physical therapy. Phototherapy and acupuncture might be other options to explore. A collaborative multispecialty effort with orthopaedic surgeons and neurologists should be encouraged to better evaluate and devise a treatment plan encompassing nondermatological treatment modalities.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Adnan Menderes University Hospital, Aydin, 09100, Turkey

    Ekin Şavk MD

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  1. Ekin Şavk MD
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Correspondence to Ekin Şavk MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Brest, Brest, France

    Laurent Misery

  2. Center of Chronic Pruritus, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Sonja Ständer

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Şavk, E. (2016). Notalgia Paresthetica. In: Misery, L., Ständer, S. (eds) Pruritus. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33142-3_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33142-3_29

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-33140-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-33142-3

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