Itching without rash
Question:
8/25/2023
Many adults complain of pruritus without a rash and they also suffer with allergic rhinitis. Is this common and if yes, will controlling the allergy relieve this condition or does other pathology needs to be looked at?
Answer:
The most common cause of itching, without any rash including urticaria or dermographism, other than scratch damage, is dry skin. Routine use of moisturizing creams is the treatment of choice.
Other causes include:
1) Medication side effects, including including NSAIDs, opiates, certain antihypertension medications, and numerous other medications
2) Neuropathies and neurogenic itching, including diabetic neuropathy, strokes, and post-herpetic neuralgia
3) Hyperthyroidism
4) Renal disease
5) Liver disease
6) Hematopoietic malignancies
Lipman ZM, Ingrasci G, Yosipovitch G. Approach to the Patient with Chronic Pruritus. Med Clin North Am. 2021 Jul;105(4):699-721.
Eric Macy, MD, MS, FAAAAI