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[Pruritus in children]
1Hôpital des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Bruxelles.
Insights
Itching, often seen as scratching, requires careful diagnosis to identify underlying causes like skin diseases or external irritants. Treatment focuses on addressing the root cause or using antihistamines when necessary.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Internal Medicine
Abstract:
Itching is usually manifested by scratching. It is lacking before three months of age. The practitioner must determine whether itching is generalised or localised and whether a skin disease is present. The main skin diseases responsible for generalised itching are scabies, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and papular urticaria. When itching is localised, contact dermatitis or pediculosis are usually responsible. Diagnosis rests on careful analysis of symptoms. In patients without skin lesions, an external cause (irritation, environment) or an internal cause (cholestasis, chronic uraemia, lymphoma, drug and psychological problems) should be considered. Therapy should be causal when possible. If not, antihistaminic drugs should be used.