February 23, 2004 - This week's issue of American Medical News contains an article about a new classification system for itching that uses four categories. Article from AMedNews.com.

Types of itch

Treatment is more effective and comparisons between types of therapy are better drawn if itches are placed into one or more of the following categories:

Pruritoceptive itch Originates in the skin due to inflammation, dryness or other skin damage. Examples include itch due to hives, insect bites and scabies.

Neuropathic itch Caused by pathology at any point along the afferent pathway. Examples include postherpetic neuralgia itch, itch associated with multiple sclerosis and brain tumors.

Neurogenic itch Originates centrally without evidence of neural pathology. An example is the itch of cholestasis or the action of opioid neuropeptides on opioid receptors.

Psychogenic itch Associated with psychological issues, for example, as part of a compulsive disorder.


November 5, 2003 - A new study, from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, finds that 2/3 of hemodialysis patients may develop prolonged, frequent, and intense uraemic pruritus. Here is an article review from Doctor's Guide.

July 1, 2003 - Resourses for renal itching:

"What causes intense "itching" in dialysis patients and how can it be relieved?" - Frequently asked question from iKidney.com (link is no longer available)

Itching AND dialysis - PubMed search (National Library of Medicine)

"Just the Facts: Skin and Hair Problems on Dialysis" - Article by The Life Options Rehabilitation Program on iKidney.com (link is no longer available)

"A Remedy to Itching for Dialysis Patients" -article from iKidney.com (link is no longer available)

"The Mystery of Itch, the Joy of Scratch" - article from the NY Times (registration required for free viewing)

Itchforum.org web site. (link is no longer available)

In a study done in Korea and published in 2002 in Dermatology Nursing, 13 patients who were undergoing kidney dialysis were given aromatherapy massages by nurses for pruritus, an itchy, irritated skin condition associated with chronic renal failure. There was a statistically significant decrease in their scores measuring the severity, frequency and location of the pruritus. Story from Newsday.com. (link is no longer available)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Leigh,