Pruritus
Pruritus is itching of the skin. There are a vast number of dermatological causes of pruritus, which are usually visible on inspection. The following are causes of generalised pruritus in the absence of skin disease. A description of dermatological disorders is beyond the scope of this book.
History
When approaching a patient with generalised pruritus, enquiries are made regarding the site and duration of symptoms. Occasionally the onset of pruritus will correlate with the initiation of drug treatment, allowing you to exclude the offending medication. It may also occur as a side-effect of alcohol or drug withdrawal. Pruritus after a hot bath classically occurs with polycythaemia. Iron deficiency, even in the absence of anaemia, can cause pruritus; therefore symptoms of blood loss in each system should be carefully elicited.
