ETIOLOGIES OF PRURITUS

Cutaneous etiologies

     Atopic dermatitis

     Bullous pemphigoid

     Contact dermatitis

     Dermatitis herpetiformis

     Fiberglass dermatitis

     Follicultitis

     Insect bites

     Impetigo

     Lichen planus

     Mastocytosis

     Pediculosis

     Pemphigus foliaceus

     Pityriasis rosea

     Psoriasis

     Scabies

     Urticaria

     Xerosis

     Hot tub asteatosis

Systemic diseases

     Chronic renal failure

     Cholestasis

          Primary biliary cirrhosis

          Viral hepatitis

          Extrahepatic biliary obstruction

          Pregnancy-induced cholestasis

          Drug-induced cholestasis

     Thyrotoxicosis

     Hypothyroidism

     Diabetes mellitus

     Carcinoid syndrome

     Polycythemia vera

     Iron deficiency anemia

     Paraproteinemia

     Systemic lupus erythematosus

     Hodgkin’s disease

     Leukemia

          Mycosis fungoides

     Malignancies

          Breast

          Gastric

          Pulmonary

     Multiple sclerosis

     Brain abscess

     Cerebral tumors

     AIDs

     Allergic reactions

Psychologic causes

     Anxiety disorder

     Depressive disorder

     Obsessive-compulsive disorder

     Personality disorder

     Psychosis

Drug-induced (common): idiosyncratic reactions may occur with any medication

     Aspirin

     CNS stimulants

     Hormones

          Anabolic steroids

          Estrogens

          Oral contraceptives

          Progestins

          Testosterone

     Opiates

          Cocaine

          Codeine

          Morphine

     Phenothiazines

     Quinidine

     Tolbutamide

     Vitamin B complex