Why do we scratch? Skin rashes may be pruritus

Pruritus is not a life-threatening disease, but due to the severe manifestations of skin itching, it reduces the quality of life of patients to such an extent that it requires urgent and serious treatment. In addition, severe itching & nbsp; causes deep excoriations, which is fraught with the addition of a secondary infection. Eruptions on the skin, which are characterized as pruritus or purigo, have very characteristic manifestations on the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs, so that they do not present diagnostic difficulties. Read about the features of the diagnosis and treatment of pruritus at Estet-portal.com.

What does prurigo look like and why does it develop

Experts call the cause of the development of pruritus sensitization of the body, due to which allergic inflammation develops in the skin. Predisposing factors for the appearance of rashes on the skin are:

• susceptibility to allergic reactions;
• disturbances in the work of the digestive tract;
• dysbacteriosis;
• helminthic infestations;
• liver disease;
• diabetes mellitus;
• Neuro-emotional disorders;
• Insect bites.

Pruritus is manifested by rashes on the skin in the form of small nodules with a bubble in the center, which cover the extensor surfaces of the limbs. In adults, the rash may later spread to the abdomen, back, buttocks, and in children, rather large lesions may appear on the palms and feet. The face is usually not affected. In adults, the nodules are quite dense, brownish-red in color.

The disease can become chronic – nodular pruritus, when skin rashes appear mainly on the extensor part of the legs, look like dense large spherical papules.

Dangers of complications of pruritus and principles of treatment

The main danger of pruritus is that due to severe itching, the patient damages the integrity of the skin, which threatens with the addition of a bacterial infection, the development of furunculosis, pyoderma, folliculitis. In children, pruritus can develop into atopic dermatitis or pruriginous eczema.

Another complication can be considered the gradual development of a pronounced emotional lability of the patient, sleep disturbances, extreme irritability, which is caused by general intoxication of the body and skin itching.

Treatment of pruritus is primarily to relieve itching with antihistamines and sedatives, in severe cases corticosteroids are used both externally and in small doses inside. Recommended enzymatic preparations that improve digestion, and a diet with the inclusion of a large amount of fermented milk products, as well as foods high in vitamins A, C, group B. It is also important to prevent any risk of secondary infection with timely treatment. - cure carious teeth, otitis media, sinusitis. A good effect with severe itching is given by baths with decoctions of oak bark, succession, with bran.