Pruritus
- Treat the underlying skin/systemic cause
- Moisturizers + topical anti-inflammatory therapy for eczema
- H1 antihistamine mainly helps histaminergic itch
- Neuropathic/systemic itch may respond to gabapentinoid/antidepressant
- Cholestatic/uremic itch requires cause-specific therapy
- Avoid chronic sedating antihistamine by default
Use at a glance
- Treat the underlying skin/systemic cause
Treatment options
- Moisturizers + topical anti-inflammatory therapy for eczema
- H1 antihistamine mainly helps histaminergic itch
Other treatment options
- Neuropathic/systemic itch may respond to gabapentinoid/antidepressant
- Cholestatic/uremic itch requires cause-specific therapy
Safety / pitfalls
- Avoid chronic sedating antihistamine by default
Self-check
- Which itch mainly responds to H1 antihistamines?
Histaminergic itch. - Which itch drugs should not be used chronically by default?
Chronic sedating antihistamine by default.
Drugs used for this (2)
All clinical uses · Open Pruritus in the interactive console ↗