pruritus

[ proo-rahy-tuhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Pathology.

pruritus

/ prʊəˈraɪtəs; prʊəˈrɪtɪk /

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin prūrītus an itching, equivalent to prūrī ( re ) to itch + -tus suffix of v. action

C17: from Latin: an itching; see prurient

For pruritus the influence of the patient's mind is extremely important.

Pruritus is a functional disease of the skin, the sole symptom of which is itching, there being no structural change.

Pruritus vulvæ is at times due to irritating discharges, and pruritus ani occasionally to hemorrhoids and seat-worms.

Aetius recommends the collyrium Psoricum against “scabros ac corrosos angulos, et intensos pruritus, milphoses et prurigines.”

Here we have the pathological reason why local remedies to the outer surface of the skin will not cure pruritus ani.

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