Many people have the experience of itchy skin, especially in winter and spring. Skin pruritus is a common clinical symptom, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients, and even “itches beyond life”. In medicine, if the pruritus lasts for more than 6 weeks, it is called chronic pruritus, and it is more common. The incidence of chronic pruritus in adults is more than 10%. The incidence of chronic pruritus in the elderly can reach 60%.
Currently, the treatment of pruritus is based on a “three-step ladder” regimen.
Step 1: Find and remove the cause of itching. Patients should avoid factors that induce or aggravate itching, such as avoiding alcohol, avoiding greasy and spicy diets, avoiding seafood as much as possible, maintaining emotional stability, and avoiding worry, anger, anxiety and irritability. Pay attention to develop good living habits, do not use too hot water for bathing, the water temperature should be 35 ℃ to 38 ℃, the bathing time should not be too long, 15 to 20 minutes is appropriate, bathing should not be too frequent, do not use too alkaline of soap. It is particularly important to note that patients with pruritus should reduce or avoid scratching, instead of forming a vicious cycle of itching-scratching-itching due to scratching to relieve the temporary itching. At the same time, treat underlying diseases, such as diabetes, jaundice, parasitic diseases, to remove the cause that exacerbates the pruritus.
Step 2: Under the guidance of a doctor, patients should use topical corticosteroids, oral antihistamines, and properly apply moisturizing and emollients.
The third step: Under the guidance of a doctor, the patient should systematically apply anti-inflammatory preparations, antipruritic mediator drugs, etc., which can be combined with ultraviolet phototherapy or traditional Chinese medicine treatment.
Although the incidence of pruritus is high and the symptoms are painful, as long as patients adhere to scientific and reasonable prevention and treatment under the guidance of doctors and have firm confidence, most of them can effectively control the disease.
According to Gansu Provincial Health Commission