Module 4: Pruritus Tx

Question 1

What is the general approach to treating pruritis?

Answer 1

Treatment of underlying cause

Elimination of aggravating factors

Therapies to reduce severity of pruritis

Question 2

What are interventions that help to eliminate aggravating factors?

Answer 2

Skin moisturization

Cool environment

Avoidance of skin irritants

Stress reduction

Physical interventions (to stop itching) e.g. occlusive dressings

Question 3

What does initial therapy for generalized pruritus involve?

Answer 3

Topical therapy (cooling lotions) and nighttime use of sedating antihistamines.

Question 4

If initial therapy is not successful what could be used as an alternate?

Answer 4

Antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Opioid receptor antagonists and opioid receptor agonists reserved for severe or refractory pruritis.