Itchy skin: the current state-of-the-art
Bobko S.I., Tsykin A.A.

Moscow Scientific Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Russia
The paper summarizes the latest evidence-based data on epidemiology, pathogenesis, classification, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and treatment approaches to itching as well as own clinical observations. Itching is one of the most common symptoms in dermatology. Pain and itching significantly reduce patients’ quality of life. In some patients, itching amplifies and becomes chronic (over 6 weeks). The rate of chronic itching in total population varies between 8.4% and 13.9%. Itching is considered as a sign of skin disorders as well as systemic internal diseases (i.e., renal or liver failure, diabetes), neuropathology, psychopathology, and paraneoplasia. This requires accurate pathology diagnosis and results in treatment challenges. Recommendations for the management of itching include Antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, systemic corticosteroids, opioid agonists, gabapentin, antidepressants, serotonin antagonists, and cyclosporine A. Topical antipruritic drugs include local anesthetics, topical corticosteroids, capsaicin, cannabinoid antagonists, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, zinc, menthol and camphor, mast cell stabilizers.

Key words: itching, neurogenic inflammation, antihistamines, allergic dermatoses.

For citation: Bobko S.I., Tsykin A.A. Itchy skin: the current state-of-the-art // RMJ. Dermatology. 2016. № 10. P. 606–612.