Pruritus

Neurophysiology.- Neuroanatomy of Itch.- Neuroreceptors and Neuromediators.- The Brain in the Skin: Neuro-Epidermal Synapses.- Central Transmission: From Skin to Brain.- Modulation of Pruritus: Peripheral and Central Sensitisation.- Interaction of Pruritus and Pain.- Neuroimaging.- Measurement of Itch.- Experimental Models of Itch.- Clinics.- Pruritus, Pain and Other Abnormal Skin Sensations.- The Epidemiology of Pruritus.- Classification.- Examination of Patients.- Inflammatory Diseases.- Pruritus in Autoimmune Diseases.- Urticaria.- Pruritic Skin Diseases in Travellers.- Pruritus in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma.- Anal Pruritus.- Secondary Reactive Conditions in Pruritic Skin.- Aquadynia and Aquagenic Pruritus.- Sensitive Skin.- Neurogenic Pruritus with Cerebral and/or Medullary Abnormalities.- Localized Neuropathic Pruritus.- Brachioradial Pruritus.- Other Neurological Causes of Itch.- Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus.- Pruritus in Patients with Hepatobiliary Diseases.- Endocrine Diseases.- Pruritus in the Course of Malignancy.- Drugs.- Interaction Between Pruritus and Stress or Other Psychosomatic Factors.- Psychosomatic Aspects and Psychiatric Conditions.- Psychosomatics and Psychiatry.- Psychogenic Pruritus.- Pruritus in Children.- Pruritus Vulvae.- Treatment.- General Principles and Guidelines.- Menthol.- Capsaicin.- Topical Immunomodulators.- Cannabinoid-Receptor Agonists.- Other Topical Treatments.- Antihistamines.- Anticonvulsants for the Treatment of Pruritus.- Opioid Receptor Antagonists or Agonists.- Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Other Antidepressants in the Treatment of Chronic Pruritus.- Systemic Immunosuppressants in the Treatment of Pruritus.- Other Systemic Treatments.- Psychological Intervention.- Ultraviolet Phototherapy of Pruritus.- Itch and Acupuncture.- Future Perspectives: Outlook.