If you’ve experienced pruritus, you’ll have discovered that it can involve a severe itching sensation, which can be irritating, uncomfortable or even painful. If you’re looking for more information on what pruritus is, learn more about this condition and explore treatment options in this article.
What is Pruritus?
Pruritus is the medical name for itching, although this disorder is more severe than ordinary itching caused by irritation. Pruritus can be an incredibly painful or bothersome sensation that creates an urge to scratch the skin. Additional symptoms include dry, cracked or broken skin, thick or leathery skin patches, stretch marks, discolouration, rashes or bumps that can be sensitive or painful. Sufferers of this condition can experience these symptoms and extreme itching in multiple areas of the body or be limited to a specific location on the skin.
The most common causes of this condition are allergies and dry skin. While allergies may be alleviated with medication, many people, particularly those over the age of 50, deal with dry skin on a daily basis. Pruritus thus often affects older people, who may experience dryer skin due to a range of age-related factors.
Pruritus can occasionally indicate another medical condition, like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or thyroid disease, so it’s crucial to seek medical care if this condition persists or worsens over time.
How to Treat Pruritus
Managing and treating pruritus can be achieved at home if the case is not chronic or indicative of another medical issue. Pruritus has several causal agents, so it’s important to find out what the symptoms may have stemmed from and treat them properly. Consider when the itching sensation started or if it occurs at specific times of the day, as well as new environments, pets, medications, or dietary changes, to help manage or avoid these factors and stop pruritus at the source. There are also several treatments that will help to manage pruritus and repair the skin.
Moisturise
As mentioned, one of the major causes of this condition is dry skin, which is not unusual for those over the age of 50 years. Nourishing and hydrating skin care is essential for all ageing skin, especially those that experience dryness, scaling, flakiness and tight skin.
Using Prolox’s Advanced Moisturising Skin Lotion, formulated with Oat Lipids, helps keep skin hydrated with a balanced pH. A water-repellent barrier cream, such as the Advanced Barrier Cream, is also pertinent to ensure the protection and lasting hydration of compromised skin barriers. Utilising these products on a consistent and regular basis will protect and treat dry skin and alleviate the symptoms of pruritus. Be mindful of using products that are free of irritants, such as perfumes or colourants, as these additives may exacerbate itching skin.
Increase Fluid Intake
To keep your skin hydrated, it is crucial to drink plenty of water to ensure hydration and nourishment from within. Another approach to increase fluid intake and maintain skin hydration is eating healthy fruits and vegetables.
Avoid and Combat Allergens
As allergies are also one of the most common causes of pruritus, it is vital to find the source of the allergen and avoid it altogether, if possible. If avoidance isn’t easy, anti-allergy medications, including oral antihistamines, can help to counter the allergy and relieve the associated symptoms, including skin itching. Should the allergy be severe, ask your healthcare provider for advice on the management and treatment of your allergy symptoms.
Treat or Manage the Underlying Medical Condition
If your skin has been itching severely for more than six weeks, this indicates a more chronic condition. Under such conditions, it is recommended to visit your doctor or dermatologist, who can provide you with a customised treatment plan.
Conclusion
Dealing with pruritus can be a frustrating experience. Once the causal agent is known, adequate management and treatment of the condition is easier. Restore your skin’s protective barrier and reduce itching by maintaining proper skin hydration, increasing fluid intake, avoiding and combating allergens, and treating or controlling underlying medical problems.
Visit prolox.com.au to discover more about Prolox’s nourishing skincare solutions for compromised and fragile skin, and shop online to have high-quality, nourishing skincare delivered straight to your door.