Pruritus
Pruritus means itch. While it may be a localised condition due, for example to infection with the agent such as Candida albicans as occurs around the vulva, causing pruritus vulvae, it may be generalised and there may not be any obvious cause - with no evidence of skin disease such as eczema or psoriasis. A number of underlying conditions can cause generalised pruritus, such as liver disease, Iron deficiency, thyroid disease and kidney failure. It is a feature of some cancers, particularly those affecting components of the blood, such as Hodgkin's disease (see blood and circulation in the chest cavity section). The symptom of itch can be reduced using antihistamines, but the treatment is the treatment of the underlying cause.
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