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Review
. 2025 Apr 22;14(9):2877.
doi: 10.3390/jcm14092877.

Prevalence and Mechanisms of Itch in Chronic Wounds: A Narrative Review

Marieta Papanikolaou  1 , Julia Paul  2 , Leigh A Nattkemper  1 , Robert S Kirsner  3 , Gil Yosipovitch  1
Affiliations
Review

Prevalence and Mechanisms of Itch in Chronic Wounds: A Narrative Review

Marieta Papanikolaou et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Itch is a commonly experienced problem by individuals with chronic wounds and greatly compromises their quality of life. Scratching can further hinder the wound healing process. Despite this being a clinically recognized issue, our knowledge of its exact prevalence in chronic wounds of different types and the molecular mechanisms driving it is limited. The multifactorial nature of wound itch makes its characterization particularly challenging. The present review is based on a thorough PubMed search, and it aims to provide an overview of existing evidence on the epidemiology, impact, and pathophysiology of wound itch, along with general recommendations on its management. Importantly, our work highlights the merit of screening chronic wound patients for associated pruritus and incorporating anti-itch measures in mainstream wound care.

Keywords: burn; itch; pruritus; ulcer; wound healing; wound repair.

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Conflict of interest statement

L.A.N. has been involved as a consultant in Galderma and Kane Biotech. R.S.K. has been involved as a consultant for Urgo, Solascure, BPGBio, Smith+Nephew, and Cell Constructs; and has received research grants from MediWound, Boehringer Ingelheim, and InflaRX. G.Y. has been an advisory board member for Abbvie, Arcutis, Almiral, Amgen, Celldex, Escient Health, Eli Lilly, Galderma, LEO Pharma, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi, Vifor, and GSK; has received research grants from Eli Lilly, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Galderma, Escient, Sanofi, Regeneron, Celldex, and Kiniksa; and has been an investigator for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi, and Galderma.

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