pruritus
Noun An intense, uncomfortable sensation on the skin that provokes the desire to scratch. It is a symptom with many possible causes, including allergic reactions, skin infections, systemic diseases (such as lymphoma or jaundice), or dry skin.
"Pruritus" is a formal medical term. It is typically used in clinical, healthcare, or scientific contexts to describe the symptom of itching, especially when it is severe, chronic, or indicative of an underlying condition. It is less common in everyday casual conversation, where "itching" or "itchiness" is preferred.
- The patient presented with generalized pruritus of unknown origin.
- A common side effect of the medication is severe pruritus.
- The pruritus associated with eczema can be very distressing.
- Doctors worked to determine the cause of her persistent pruritus.
- Localized pruritus: Itching confined to a specific area of the body (e.g., for anal itching).
- Generalized pruritus: Itching that occurs all over the body, often related to systemic internal diseases.
- Pruritic (adjective): Describing something that causes itching. (e.g., ).
- Pruritic (adj.): Characterized by or causing itching. (e.g., .)
- Antipruritic (adj./n.): (A substance) used to relieve itching.
- Itching
- Itchiness
While "pruritus" and "itching" are often used interchangeably in medicine, "pruritus" strictly refers to the sensation itself. It is the primary symptom, not the act of scratching. The word does not describe the cause, which must be diagnosed separately.
- an intense itching sensation that can have various causes (as by allergies or infection or lymphoma or jaundice etc.)