Pruritus,prurigo and allergic contact sensitivity

Aim. The aim of this study was to make a new contribution to the subject of prurigo and pruritus sine materia with or with-out scratching-related lesions, and to assess any correlation with allergic contact sensitivity. Methods. The study was conducted on 104 patients with symp-toms of pruritus, excluding cases of definite dermatosis. After making a detailed anamnesis, the patients were administered a battery of biohumoral tests designed to establish their general state of health. Skin tests were performed if the patient’s medical history. Patients who were positive on the allergic contact lf sensitivity test were informed about methods of avoiding contact with the haptens concerned and were followed-up for at least 3 months. No medication was administered. Results. Thirty-seven of the S3 patients tested positive for allergic contact sensitivity. At the final check-up, 15 of the above 37 patients presented complete objective and subjective remission. Conclusion. Our study concludes with the finding that latent contact sensitivity dissociated from clinically overt allergic contact dermatitis was present in 70% of surveyed patients. We do not believe that this is a random association; rather, it is our opinion that subliminal or minimal, exogenous or endogenous exposure may elicit pruritus without actually triggering contact eczematous dermatitis. Hence, screening by the patch test for contact sensitivity may be helpful in correctly assessing some forms of pruritus and prurigo.