Prevalence of Itch in German Schoolchildren: A Population-based Study

New definitions and subtypes of chronic prurigo

During the past few years, chronic prurigo, including prurigo nodularis, has become a focal point of considerable research attention, resulting in enhanced insights into this condition. For over two centuries, the term "prurigo" has been used in dermatology, often applied loosely to describe a range of pruritic, papulous conditions lacking clear diagnostic criteria. In 2017, the term "chronic prurigo" was introduced, delineating chronic prurigo, including prurigo nodularis, as a distinct disease entity characterized by chronic pruritus, a characteristic clinical history, and physical signs such as excoriations and the presence of pruriginous lesions. Pruriginous lesions exhibit diverse morphologies, encompassing papules (diameter < 1 cm), nodules (diameter > 1 cm), plaques, and umbilicated or linear lesions. The co-occurrence of multiple lesion types in an individual is frequently observed. The subtype and severity of chronic prurigo can be categorized on the basis of the type or number of pruriginous lesions.

Clinical aspects and management of chronic itch

Chronic pruritus (CP) (ie, itch that persists for more than 6 weeks) poses significant challenges to patients' health and quality of life. It is a common reason for visits to dermatologists and general practitioners and can be caused by a range of conditions, including systemic diseases such as chronic kidney disease or liver diseases, malignancies, neuropathic conditions, and dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis. CP often does not develop in parallel with the course of the disease and can become an entity of its own, which must be treated with antipruritic drugs, even if the underlying cause is already under therapy. Depending on the etiology of CP, different pathways in the pathogenesis have been analyzed recently, following which new treatments have been developed and tested in randomized controlled trials. This article discusses the recent results of these studies and highlights how best to manage health care for patients with CP.