Washcloth Withdrawal and Pruritus: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study

Chronic pruritus is common and often difficult to treat. Although several studies have examined how cleansing agents used during bathing relate to pruritus, the effect of washcloth use during bathing, including whether discontinuation is associated with lower itch, remains unclear. We conducted a single-center retrospective observational study of 79 washcloth users with diverse skin diseases to evaluate pruritus before and after washcloth withdrawal without treatment escalation. Pruritus severity was measured using a 0 to 10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and scores were compared within patients. At baseline, the mean NRS score among users was 4.79, with cotton and synthetic-fiber washcloths showing comparable scores. Among those who discontinued washcloth use without treatment escalation, mean NRS scores decreased from 4.89 to 1.90 (p < 0.0001), while those who continued showed no significant change in pruritus scores (from 3.86 to 3.60; p > 0.9999). Our data suggest that discontinuing washcloth use may be associated with lower pruritus scores and could represent a practical, low-cost, and none-invasive measure for pruritus management warranting prospective evaluation.