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Pruritus

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European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments

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Abstract

Pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation that produces a desire to scratch. By most researchers and physicians, pruritus and itch are considered as synonymous terms. Itching lasting less than 6 weeks is termed as an acute pruritus, while presenting longer than 6 weeks is defined as a chronic one. Pruritus may be limited to a certain area (localized pruritus) or involve the entire body (generalized pruritus). According to the consensus of the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI), three clinical presentations may be distinguished: (1) pruritus on diseased, inflamed skin; (2) pruritus on normal, non-inflamed skin; and, finally, (3) pruritus with chronic secondary scratch lesions. Successful antipruritic therapy may be introduced, if the underlying disease is identified.

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  1. Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland

    Jacek C. Szepietowski & Adam Reich

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  1. Jacek C. Szepietowski
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  2. Adam Reich
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Correspondence to Jacek C. Szepietowski .

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  1. Department of Dermatology, Andreas Syggros Hospital University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Andreas D. Katsambas  & Clio Dessinioti  & 

  2. University of Rome “G. Marconi”, Rome, Italy

    Torello M. Lotti

  3. Centro Studi per la Ricerca Multidisciplinare Rigenerativa (CSRMR), Rome, Italy

    Torello M. Lotti

  4. Unit of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Angelo Massimiliano D’Erme

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Szepietowski, J.C., Reich, A. (2015). Pruritus. In: Katsambas, A.D., Lotti, T.M., Dessinioti, C., D’Erme, A.M. (eds) European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45139-7_80

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