Pruritic dermatitis is not a disease, it’s a symptom of a number of different conditions.
How you treat it depends on what’s setting off the itching.
Find out about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for chronic itchy skin known as pruritic dermatitis.
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Pain makes you pull back, like when you touch a hot burner.
In modern humans, there are many causes of pruritic dermatitis.
Here’s a look at some of the more common ones.
Histamine, a chemical your body releases when you have an allergic reaction, often leads to itching.
An allergic reaction tends to be more severe than one from irritant contact dermatitis.
Skin Conditions
Pruritic dermatitis is a hallmark symptom of certain common skin conditions.
They lead to a reaction involving neuropeptides, which create many of the chemical signals in your brain.
Up to 25% of people with chronic itching have an underlying disease associated with pruritic dermatitis.
Internal diseases that cause itching include:
Nerve Disorders
Neuropathic itchingis due tonerve damage.
You may also have tingling sensations or numbness.
It will disappear on its own.
Experts aren’t sure what causes it, but it’s more likely in a first pregnancy.
Itching during pregnancy can also be due to an uncommon liver condition called obstetric cholestasis.
This condition requires medical treatment, so if you are itching during your pregnancy, see a healthcare provider.
Symptoms
Pruritic dermatitis is itself a symptom, rather than a disease or condition.
It is often worse at night and can disrupt your sleep and affect your quality of life.
It can also increase anxiety and other mental health conditions such as depression and even suicidal thoughts.
If your itch doesn’t go away after about two weeks, call a healthcare provider.
Treatment
Treatment for pruritic dermatitis depends on what’s causing it.
You may have scaly or dry skin, bumps, or rashes along with the itching.
If your skin is itching, try moisturizers, cool compresses, and over-the-counter pills or creams for itching.
A Word From Verywell
Pruritic dermatitis can affect your quality of life.
If you’ve got the option to’t address it on your own, call a healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dermatitis rash is a red area on your skin with bumps or blisters.
The skin may be dry and look scaly or cracked.
If it’s severe, the rash can ooze and crust over.
If an itch lasts for more than two weeks, it’s time to call a healthcare provider.
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American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.HIV/AIDS and skin conditions.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Is itching a sign of cancer?
2013:3-6. doi:10.5826/dpc.0301a02
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pruritic urticarial papule and plaques of pregnancy.
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