Don’t fight Aquagenic pruritus alone.
Find your community on the free RareGuru App.Aquagenic pruritus is a condition in which contact with water of any temperature causes intense itching, without any visible skin changes. The symptoms may begin immediately after contact and can last for an hour or more. The cause of aquagenic pruritus is unknown; however, familial cases have been described. It may be a symptom of polycythemia vera or another underlying condition. Overall, treatment is a challenge. Antihistamines, UVB phototherapy, PUVA therapy and various medications have been tried with varying degrees of success.
Source: GARD Last updated on 05-01-20
Aquagenic pruritus causes intense itching in the parts of the body that come in contact with water. The legs are most frequently affected, followed by the arms, chest, back, and abdomen. More rarely, the head, neck, face and hips may be affected. The palms, soles, and mucosa are usually not affected. Because aquagenic pruritus may be one symptom of polycythemia vera or another condition, it is important to look for problems in other parts of the body to rule out other conditions.
Last updated on 05-01-20
The underlying cause of aquagenic pruritus is unknown. In some cases, it is a symptom of polycythemia vera or another underlying condition. Aquagenic pruritus may precede a diagnosis of polycythemia vera by several years or more. Other conditions associated with aquagenic pruritus include myeloproliferative neoplasms or myelodysplastic syndromes, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and juvenile xanthogranuloma. Lactose intolerance and hepatitis C may also induce aquagenic pruritus.
Drug-induced aquagenic pruritus has been reported in patients treated with clomipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant), bupropion (prescribed for smoking cessation), and hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine (antimalarial drugs also used for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus).
Possible underlying causes of aquagenic pruritus that have been proposed include:
Last updated on 05-01-20
There is no specific exam that confirms a diagnosis of aquagenic pruritus. The diagnosis is generally made by ruling out other conditions. The following criteria may help to make the diagnosis:
Last updated on 05-01-20
While the underlying cause of aquagenic pruritus is unknown, there has been evidence that genetic factors may play a role in the condition. Familial cases have been reported, particularly in cases of unknown cause (i.e not associated with polycythemia vera or another condition). However, to our knowledge, no gene proven to be responsible for aquagenic pruritus alone has been identified, and the risk for a family member of an affected person to develop the condition is not known.
Last updated on 05-01-20
It is difficult to find effective treatments for aquagenic pruritus because the underlying cause is poorly understood. Therapies that have been attempted with varying success include:
People with questions about the management of aquagenic pruritus should speak with their doctor about available treatment options.
Last updated on 05-01-20
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