Aquagenic pruritus
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| Aquagenic pruritus Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | L29.8 (ILDS L29.83) |
|---|---|
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Aquagenic pruritus is a skin disease characterized by the development of severe, prickling-like epidermal itching that is without observable skin lesions and that is evoked by contact with water at any temperature.
Symptoms can be felt immediately after contact with water or humid air and can persist for an hour or longer. Other triggers may be sweat or blowing air.
The disease seems to appear equally in both genders regardless of age. Aquagenic pruritus is sometimes a symptom of Primary Polycythemia or Polycythemia Vera.
This disease is not to be taken lightly since the intensity of the itch impedes normal activities, limits bathing, and very commonly leads to severe depression.
Etymology
The name is derived from Latin: Aquagenic, meaning water-induced, and Pruritus, meaning itch.
Treatment
Treatments can include applying capsaicin cream on the affected areas, and Ultraviolet-B Phototherapy. Some people utilize tanning beds to accomplish such treatment, but skin cancer can become a concern for frequent tanning.
Since pruritus is sometimes believed to be a result of histamine, H1 and H2 blockers such as Claritin or Cimetidine may be helpful.
The symptoms may recur after each water exposure for years. Many sufferers now control the itch by turning the shower water to hot for the last 5 minutes, and/or using heatpads or hairdryers on their skin immediately after showering. The use of cotton clothes and bedding can prevent itch or provide relief to some sufferers.
External links
There is a support group for sufferers
- Steinman H, Greaves M (1985). "Aquagenic pruritus.". J Am Acad Dermatol 13 (1): 91-6. PMID 2411768.
- SPO8 at FPnotebook
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
