Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
This article will cover what causes prurigo, symptoms, diagnosis, and available treatments.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Prurigo Causes
The exact cause of prurigo is unknown, but it is associated with nerve cell andimmune system dysfunction. The skin of people with prurigo tends to have more immune cells and dense nerve fibers causing itchiness than people without prurigo. Prurigo can occur independently or alongside other skin conditions.
Risk FactorsPrurigo is also associated with the following risk factors:Mental health conditionsReduced liver and kidney functionSkin conditionsthat cause itching, such as eczemaHIVCertain infections, likehepatitisType 2 diabetesThyroiddisordersCertain cancers
Risk Factors
Prurigo is also associated with the following risk factors:Mental health conditionsReduced liver and kidney functionSkin conditionsthat cause itching, such as eczemaHIVCertain infections, likehepatitisType 2 diabetesThyroiddisordersCertain cancers
Prurigo is also associated with the following risk factors:
Mild Prurigo Symptoms
Skin itchingmay begin up to six months before prurigo nodules (itchy bumps) appear on the skin. The discomfort associated with this condition leads to scratching and creates skin changes which may increase the risk of infection. Other symptoms of prurigo include:
Mild prurigo can disrupt daily functioning. The American Academy of Dermatology says the following are all possible effects of having prurigo.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you have symptoms of prurigo, especially ones that disrupt your everyday routine, consider seeing a healthcare provider to determine if prurigo is the cause and discuss the next steps. The sooner you get an accurate diagnosis, the quicker you can find the proper method of treatment and relief.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have symptoms of prurigo, especially ones that disrupt your everyday routine, consider seeing a healthcare provider to determine if prurigo is the cause and discuss the next steps. The sooner you get an accurate diagnosis, the quicker you can find the proper method of treatment and relief.
Diagnosing Prurigo
It can be helpful to your healthcare provider to know when symptoms began and what types of treatment you have tried. Consider keeping a journal of symptoms to discuss with your healthcare provider.
If a skin biopsy confirms prurigo, you can expect follow-up tests to determine the possible cause. Tests may include:
Even mild cases of prurigo require clinical treatment since it’s unlikely to go away on its own. Treatment will depend upon the underlying cause. For example, if you have prurigo due to abacterial infection, treatment will focus on resolving the infection.
Dupixent(dupilumab) is the first and only Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication for the treatment of adults with prurigo nodularis.In addition, there are options used off-label to treat other skin and immune system disorders that your healthcare provider may recommend, including:
Anti-itch cream can be applied to the skin to reduce the urge to scratch. Topical medications may includecorticosteroid creams. In some cases,corticosteroidsmay be injected directly into the skin.
Your healthcare provider might recommend alternative treatments such as cryosurgery or light therapy (phototherapy).
Behavioral adjustments are another option that can help reduce skin dryness and scratching. Treatments include:
What Causes Itchy Legs Below the Knee?
Summary
Mild prurigo is a chronic skin condition that causes itchiness, and skin bumps called nodules. Causes are associated with nerve cell and immune system dysfunction. Diagnosis will depend upon the results of an examination and skin biopsy. Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause but may include medications or behavioral changes to help reduce the itchiness and ability to scratch.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsPrurigo will not go away on its own. Treatment like medications used for other skin conditions or behavioral changes to help reduce scratching can resolve prurigo symptoms. If you’re unsure whether you have prurigo or if it will ever go away, consider talking to a healthcare provider or specialist like a dermatologist who can give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.Learn MoreWhat Is a Dermatologist?Prurigo itself is not contagious. However, if an underlying infection is causing the condition, it is possible to pass the infection on to someone else. See a healthcare provider for testing and diagnosis if you are unsure whether you have a contagious infection.Prurigo nodularis starts as skin itch. This itching can be mild to severe. As a person scratches the itch, nodules can develop on the skin. These nodules vary in size and amount. For example, someone may have a few skin nodules or hundreds.
Prurigo will not go away on its own. Treatment like medications used for other skin conditions or behavioral changes to help reduce scratching can resolve prurigo symptoms. If you’re unsure whether you have prurigo or if it will ever go away, consider talking to a healthcare provider or specialist like a dermatologist who can give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.Learn MoreWhat Is a Dermatologist?
Prurigo will not go away on its own. Treatment like medications used for other skin conditions or behavioral changes to help reduce scratching can resolve prurigo symptoms. If you’re unsure whether you have prurigo or if it will ever go away, consider talking to a healthcare provider or specialist like a dermatologist who can give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Learn MoreWhat Is a Dermatologist?
Prurigo itself is not contagious. However, if an underlying infection is causing the condition, it is possible to pass the infection on to someone else. See a healthcare provider for testing and diagnosis if you are unsure whether you have a contagious infection.
Prurigo nodularis starts as skin itch. This itching can be mild to severe. As a person scratches the itch, nodules can develop on the skin. These nodules vary in size and amount. For example, someone may have a few skin nodules or hundreds.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Prurigo nodularis.National Organization for Rare Diseases.Prurigo nodularis.Beth Israel Lahey Health Winchester Hospital.Prurigo nodularis.American Academy of Dermatology.Prurigo nodularis: Signs and symptoms.Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first treatment for prurigo nodularis.Kowalski EH, Kneiber D, Valdebran M, Patel U, Amber KT.Treatment-resistant prurigo nodularis: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:163-172. doi:10.2147/CCID.S188070
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Prurigo nodularis.National Organization for Rare Diseases.Prurigo nodularis.Beth Israel Lahey Health Winchester Hospital.Prurigo nodularis.American Academy of Dermatology.Prurigo nodularis: Signs and symptoms.Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first treatment for prurigo nodularis.Kowalski EH, Kneiber D, Valdebran M, Patel U, Amber KT.Treatment-resistant prurigo nodularis: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:163-172. doi:10.2147/CCID.S188070
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Prurigo nodularis.National Organization for Rare Diseases.Prurigo nodularis.Beth Israel Lahey Health Winchester Hospital.Prurigo nodularis.American Academy of Dermatology.Prurigo nodularis: Signs and symptoms.Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first treatment for prurigo nodularis.Kowalski EH, Kneiber D, Valdebran M, Patel U, Amber KT.Treatment-resistant prurigo nodularis: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:163-172. doi:10.2147/CCID.S188070
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Prurigo nodularis.
National Organization for Rare Diseases.Prurigo nodularis.
Beth Israel Lahey Health Winchester Hospital.Prurigo nodularis.
American Academy of Dermatology.Prurigo nodularis: Signs and symptoms.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first treatment for prurigo nodularis.
Kowalski EH, Kneiber D, Valdebran M, Patel U, Amber KT.Treatment-resistant prurigo nodularis: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:163-172. doi:10.2147/CCID.S188070
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
