You searched for: “pruritus
pruritus, itching
1. A condition that has as the dominant symptom a desire to scratch some part of the body to relieve irritation.
2. A sensation which elicits the desire to scratch.
3. Itching, an uncomfortable sensation due to irritation of a peripheral sensory nerve; a symptom rather than a disease.

Pruritus does not always originate from stimulation to the skin associated with primary dermatological disorders. It may be caused by neurological or behavioral disorders.

An itch which arises from the irritation of nerve cells associated with the skin

Pruritus serves as an important sensory and self-protective mechanism; as do many other skin sensations, by alerting people to harmful external agents.

Constant itching can become unbearable if the underlying condition is not treated.

—Excerpts from
"How do itches come about, and why does it feel good to scratch them?"
answered by Mark A.W. Andrews, associate professor of physiology
at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine;
Scientific American, June, 2007; page 80.
This entry is located in the following unit: pruri-, prur-, prurit- + (page 2)
Word Entries containing the term: “pruritus
aquagenic pruritus (s) (noun)
1. A skin disease characterized by the development of severe, prickling-like epidermal discomfort which is without observable skin lesions and that is evoked by contact with water at any temperature.
2. An intense itching that is the result of brief contact with water of any temperature, but which does not produce any visible changes in the skin.
autotoxic pruritus
Pruritus attributed to endogenous toxins, as in jaundice, uremia, etc.
bath pruritus, bath itch
Itching produced by inadequate rinsing off of soap or by over drying of the skin from excessive bathing.
This entry is located in the following unit: pruri-, prur-, prurit- + (page 1)
ocular pruritus
A subjectively perceived problem of or a complaint of itching around the eyes.
This entry is located in the following units: pruri-, prur-, prurit- + (page 1) -ular (page 8)
pruritus hiemalis
Itching related to cold, either from the climate or air-conditioning.

Dryness is also a factor; frost-itch, winter itch.

This entry is located in the following unit: pruri-, prur-, prurit- + (page 2)
pruritus senilis, senile pruritus
The pruritus of the aged, probably caused by a lack of oil in the skin; and which accompanies the atrophy of the skin in old age.
This entry is located in the following unit: pruri-, prur-, prurit- + (page 2)
psychogenic pruritus
Pruritus caused by a psychological condition.
This entry is located in the following unit: pruri-, prur-, prurit- + (page 2)
symptomatic pruritus
Itching occurring as a symptom of some systemic disease.
This entry is located in the following unit: pruri-, prur-, prurit- + (page 2)