Itch

Itch Microchapters
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Overview
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Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Itch from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
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Case #1
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords:: Pruritus, itching, itchy, pruritic disorders, Pruritis

Pathophysiology

There are five main causes of itching:

• Dermal/pruritoceptive which originates in the skin,
• Neuropathic which is due to damage along the afferent pathway of a nerve,
• Neurogenic itch which originates centrally without the involvement of the peripheral nerves,
• Psychogenic itch which is associated with psychiatric disorders and phobias, and
• A mixed picture which is due to two or more causes of itching

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Related Chapters

• Referred itch
• Personal grooming