[Pruritus--symptom of both skin and systemic diseases]

Abstract

Itching is one of the most common complaints affecting the skin. A differentiation is made between pruritus in the absence of inflamed skin lesions, which is frequently associated with a systemic disease, and pruritus caused by inflamed skin, as a symptom of a skin disease. Treatment is directed initially to the underlying illness, and both topical and systemic antipruritic medications are available as flanking measures.