Aquagenic pruritus is a skin condition characterized by severe, intense, and pungent epidermal itching without skin lesions that can be observed and induced by contact with water.
Video Aquagenic pruritus
Presentations
Symptoms occur up to 35 minutes; the duration of attack is usually between 10 and 120 minutes. However, the sensitivity varies among the sufferers, and since water is always present to some extent in the air (atmospheric humidity), those more sensitive that live in humid areas are symptomatic almost constantly, while sweat can cause symptoms that often occur even in most climates dry.
Maps Aquagenic pruritus
Pathogenesis
The exact mechanism of this condition is unknown, although some studies suggest that itching occurs in response to increased fibrinolytic activity in the skin. Subsequent research shows that inappropriate activation of the sympathetic nervous system may play a role. The condition may be related to polycythemia vera.
Diagnosis
There is no definitive medical test known for aquagenic pruritus. Instead, the diagnosis is made by excluding all other possible causes of the patient's itchiness. Some of these include polycythemia vera. Because pruritus is a symptom of many serious diseases, it is important to rule out other causes before making a final diagnosis.
Treatment
Because the cause of this condition can not be completely avoided in all cases, treatment is usually focused on topical itch management. This can be affected by the application of lotion or antipruritus creams, using phototherapy, or hot or cold pack applications to the skin after contact with water. Paradoxically, hot water baths or baths help many patients, possibly because of the heat causing mast cells in the skin to release histamine supplies and remain depleted for up to 24 hours afterwards. However, the itch associated with aquagenic pruritus is unclear due to histamine; Other neurotransmitters, such as substance P, may be involved.
H1 and H2 blockers, such as loratadine, doxepine, or cimetidine, have historically been the first line of pharmacological treatment, but not all sufferers have found relief with these drugs. When antihistamines work, loratadine appears to be most effective for mild cases and doxepin is most effective for more severe cases.
Naltrexone, hydrocortisone, or propranolol can alleviate the itchiness for some people.
Etymology
The name is derived from the Latin: aquagenic, which means water-induced, and pruritus, which means itching.
See also
- Aquadynia
- Aquagenic urticaria
- List of skin conditions
- List of allergies
References
Note
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments