neurogenic pruritus

Etiology

• cholestatis
• end-stage renal disease
• hypothyroidism
• hyperthyroidism
• iron-deficiency
• malignancy (hematopoietic, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease)
• medications (opiates)
• HIV
• idiopathic

Clinical manifestations

• absence of visible skin lesions or the presence of only secondary skin lesions (exoriations, lichenification) in areas easily scratched with sparing or regions that the patient cannot reach

Laboratory

• complete blood count (CBC) with differential
• thyroid function tests
• serum iron, TIBC, serum ferritin
• liver function tests
  • serum AST, serum ALT
  • serum alkaline phosphatase
  • serum bilirubin
  • serum GGT
  • bile acids in serum
• renal function tests
  • serum creatinine
  • serum urea nitrogen
• serum protein electrophoresis if indicated

Radiology

• chest X-ray for possible Hodgkin's disease

Differential diagnosis

• neuropathic pruritus

Management

• see pruritus or specific etiology

More general terms

• pruritus (itching)

Additional terms

• neuropathic pruritus