Treating itch in psoriasis

Dermatol Nurs. 2006 Jun;18(3):227-33.

Abstract

Itch is an important, but underestimated symptom in psoriasis. Many therapies are available for pruritus; however, few are effective for psoriatic itch. Antipruritic therapies that are potentially effective in psoriasis include coal tar products, topical corticosteroids, topical salicylates, menthol and pramoxine, capsaicin, phototherapy, vitamin D analogs, topical immunomodulators, methotrexate, oral mirtazapine, and biologics. Using these therapies can benefit psoriasis patients in the outpatient clinical setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Antipruritics / therapeutic use
  • Capsaicin / therapeutic use
  • Coal Tar / therapeutic use
  • Emollients / therapeutic use
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Keratolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Mianserin / analogs & derivatives
  • Mianserin / therapeutic use
  • Mirtazapine
  • Morpholines / therapeutic use
  • Phototherapy
  • Pruritus / etiology*
  • Pruritus / psychology
  • Pruritus / therapy*
  • Psoriasis / complications*
  • Quality of Life
  • Salicylates / therapeutic use
  • Skin Care / methods
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antipruritics
  • Emollients
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Keratolytic Agents
  • Morpholines
  • Salicylates
  • pramoxine
  • Vitamin D
  • Mianserin
  • Coal Tar
  • Mirtazapine
  • Capsaicin
  • Methotrexate