How to define chronic prurigo?

Abstract

Chronic prurigo impairs quality of life and is immensely challenging to treat. Until recently, no clear definition or classification system was available for this disease. A European task force specialized in pruritus defined chronic prurigo as a distinct disease characterized by chronic pruritus, a lengthy scratching behaviour and the presence of pruriginous lesions. Papular, nodular, plaque, umbilicated and linear prurigo were identified as clinical subtypes according to the most prominent lesion type observed in the physical examination. Various clinical and pathophysiological aspects, which are common across the range of clinical manifestations of chronic prurigo, argue for chronic prurigo as a disease in its own right. Chronic prurigo should be clearly demarcated from other conditions such as so‐called acute or subacute prurigo forms as well as from psychogenic self‐inflicted skin lesions, since different diagnostic criteria apply for these diseases. This viewpoint essay provides a detailed definition and classification of chronic prurigo including its obligatory and associated diagnostic criteria and discusses chronic prurigo as a distinct disease as well as the demarcation to other relevant conditions.

Case of neuropathic itch‐associated prurigo nodules on the bilateral upper arms after unilateral herpes zoster in a patient with cervical herniated discs: Successful treatment with mirogabalin

“…Dear Editor, The etiology of prurigo nodules is uncertain, but a certain type of prurigo nodules may be induced by chronic itch plus prolonged scratching. 1 This "chronic itch" condition includes allergic skin inflammation (e.g., atopic dermatitis) and neuropathic itch. We report the first case of neuropathic itch-associated prurigo nodules successfully treated with mirogabalin, a gabapentinoid approved in Japan to treat neuropathy.…”

The exploration of the potential mechanism of oxymatrine-mediated antipruritic effect based on network pharmacology and weighted gene co-expression network analysis

“…Itching is a typical side effect of skin conditions, which was initially defined as a feeling that may inspire the desire to scratch by Samuel Hafenreffer in 1660 (Bernhard, 2005). Chronic itching has no effective treatment, which significantly influences patients' quality of life and physical and mental health (Pereira and Stander, 2019). About 280 million individuals worldwide (4% of global population) suffer from pruritus, with those suffering from severe pruritus accounting for 1% of the overall population (Matterne et al, 2013;Nutten, 2015).…”

Prurigo Simplex or “Itchy Red Bump” Disease: Review and Case Series

“…Besides many eponyms, it is also known as prurigo simplex, prurigo simplex subacuta or urticaria papulosa chronica perstans ( 1 , 2 ). Lately, the classification of prurigo into acute, subacute and chronic forms has been questioned ( 5 ). It is discussed whether subacute prurigo (prurigo simplex) belongs to the prurigo group of diseases, or if it is just one of many papular eruptions.…”