Abstract
Pruritus is synonymous with itching. Many medical conditions are complicated by chronic pruritus compromising the patient's quality of life. The majority of pruritic stimuli are transmitted through C fibers into the lateral spinothalamic tract and then into the somatic sensory cortex where the itching is detected. Histamine, substance P, and tumor necrosis factor a play significant roles in the perception of pruritus. Medical conditions in adults with significant pruritus will be defined in this review.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Dermatitis Herpetiformis / complications
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Dermatitis Herpetiformis / physiopathology
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
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Histamine / metabolism
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Humans
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Lichen Planus / complications
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Lichen Planus / physiopathology
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Mental Disorders / complications*
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Mental Disorders / diagnosis
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Mental Disorders / physiopathology
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Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / metabolism
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Pemphigoid, Bullous / complications
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Pemphigoid, Bullous / physiopathology
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Pruritus / etiology*
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Pruritus / metabolism
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Pruritus / physiopathology
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Psoriasis / complications
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Psoriasis / physiopathology
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Scabies / complications
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Scabies / physiopathology
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Skin / innervation
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Skin Diseases / complications*
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Skin Diseases / diagnosis
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Skin Diseases / microbiology
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Skin Diseases / physiopathology
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Somatosensory Cortex / physiopathology
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Substance P / metabolism
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
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Urticaria / complications
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Urticaria / physiopathology
Substances
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Substance P
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Histamine