Pruritus: a "coat of many colours'

The symptom of pruritus was studied in one general practice. Approximately 2.8 per cent of consultations were found to involve pruritus. Information about site, duration, precipitating factors, relieving factors, and relationship of time of day to pruritus was obtained from 100 patients. Seventy-four of the patients were female, of whom one-third were in the age range 20-29 years. The cause of pruritus was classified into 29 categories. Only three patients had an underlying systemic disease causing their itch. Four patients were referred for a dermatologist's opinion. The importance of pruritus the symptom in relation to both disease and patient behaviour is considered.