pruri-, prur-, prurit- +
(Latin: itch, itching; be wanton, be eager for)
2. An agent that relieves or prevents itching.
Despite about a century of research, no single effective antipruritic treatment exists
Several topical and orally administered agents can help suppress itching. These include lotions and creams; such as calamine and hydrocortisone, antihistamines, opioid antagonists, aspirin, and ultraviolet light therapy.
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.
2. A chronic skin disease having various causes, marked by the eruption of pale, dome-shaped papules that itch severely.
3. Any of various itchy skin eruptions of unknown cause, in which the characteristic lesion (prurigo papule) is dome-shaped with a small transient vesicle on top.
Scratching and rubbing interfere with the sensations arising from pruriceptors by stimulating various pain and touch receptors in the same areas.
Like many sensory systems in the body, activation of one signal, in this case that of the pain and touch receptors, causes "surround inhibition" of another signal, that coming from the pruriceptor.
The lack of pruriceptor firing "turns off" the itch sensation for a short period. Although it is helpful in relieving an itch, scratching offers only temporary relief and may cause the skin to become further irritated and possibly even to tear it, causing bleeding.
2. Causing lasciviousness or lust.
3. Having a restless desire or longing.
4. Etymology: from 1630–40; Latin prurient-; from Latin prurire, "to itch."
2. Characterized by an inordinate interest in sex: "She had prurient thoughts."
3. Arousing or appealing to an inordinate interest in sex: "Many people are interested in prurient literature."
2. Affected by, or of the nature of, prurigo.