Pruritus (Juckreiz) ist das häufigste Hautsymptom. In vielen Fällen kann es einer Hautkrankheit zugeordnet werden. Darüber hinaus kann Pruritus auch Vorläufersymptom oder Hauptbeschwerde einer internistischen, neurologischen oder psychiatrischen Erkrankung sein. Es ist festzustellen, dass zunehmend ältere Menschen betroffen sind. Oftmals ist die Genese des Pruritus multifaktoriell. Darum ist eine sorgfältige Diagnostik mit detaillierter Anamnese und körperlicher Untersuchung des Patienten erforderlich. Vor- und Begleiterkrankungen sowie die aktuelle und die zurückliegende Einnahme von Medikamenten müssen berücksichtigt werden. So kann man bereits zu einem frühen Zeitpunkt wichtige Hinweise für das weitere Vorgehen erhalten. Das Ziel einer rationalen Diagnostik des Pruritus ist es, weitere, insbesondere internistische Erkrankungen mit entsprechenden laborchemischen und weiteren speziellen Verfahren abzuklären. Diagnose und Therapie des chronischen Pruritus erfordern aufgrund der Vielzahl der möglichen Ursachen eine enge interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit.
Abstract
Pruritus (itch) is the most frequent skin symptom. It can be attributed to a skin disease in many cases. Furthermore pruritus may also be a precursing symptom or principal complaint of an internal, neurological or psychiatric disease. It has been observed that elderly patients are increasingly affected. In many cases pruritus has multifactorial causes. This requires careful diagnostics, including a detailed medical history and medical examination of the patient. Previous diseases and comorbidities need to be considered as possible causes, as well as current and previous drug intake. By this important information can be obtained at an early time, which may lead to further investigation. Aim of rational diagnostics is to evaluate especially internal diseases which need to be assessed by laboratory testing and more specific diagnostics. Due to the multitude of possible causing diseases, diagnosis and therapy of chronic itch need an interdisciplinary approach.
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