rare systemic causes
Last reviewed 01/2018
- polycythaemia rubra vera - especially following a hot bath
- myeloproliferative diseases e.g. leukaemia, myeloma
- carcinoid syndrome
- haemochromatosis
- brain tumour (particularly invading floor of 4th ventricle)
- drugs - opiates, cocaine, belladonna alkaloids, antidepressants, CNS stimulants, cimeditine, chloroquine and other antimalarials, PUVA
- autoimmune disease - pruritus is an occasional manifestation of systemic lupus erythematous, systemic sclerosis, sicca syndrome
- mastocytosis eg. urticaria of the newborn
- AIDS - pruritus can be seen in around 84% of people with AIDS with or without a rash (1)
- psychiatric
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