Successful Treatment of Recalcitrant Prurigo with Alitretinoin

Chronic itch with secondary scratch lesions such as prurigo has a major impact on quality of life. Due to its relapsing nature and often unknown origin, its treatment is challenging.

We sought to demonstrate that alitretinoin can be an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment in a patient suffering from chronic itch with concomitant prurigo and psoriatic lesions.

Case report.

After 1 month of alitretinoin treatment (30 mg daily), itch as well as prurigo and psoriasis lesions decreased markedly. Three cycles of alitretinoin were administered, as each cessation of treatment led to relapse of the symptoms after 6-8 weeks. Tapering of the alitretinoin dose (30 mg every second day) after the third cycle allowed to maintain the effects for over 18 months.

Treatment of refractory prurigo with alitretinoin might be an efficacious alternative to standard therapies. In case of relapse, retreatment with alitretinoin reinduces a further long-lasting response.