ESSENTIAL PRURITUS Meaning and
Definition
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Essential pruritus refers to a chronic and persistent itching sensation on the skin or in other areas of the body without any underlying identifiable cause. It is a term commonly used in medical literature and is often referred to as primary pruritus, idiopathic pruritus, or chronic pruritus of unknown origin.
The word "essential" in this context implies that the pruritus is a standalone condition, independent of any visible skin abnormalities or specific diseases. It is considered a diagnosis by exclusion, as other potential causes for itching, such as skin infections, allergies, or systemic illnesses, have been ruled out.
Pruritus itself is a symptom characterized by an intense desire to scratch or itch the affected area. It can vary in intensity, frequency, and location of occurrence, leading to considerable discomfort, distress, and impaired quality of life for the affected individuals.
The term "essential pruritus" highlights the lack of a definitive explanation or cause for the itching sensation, making it a challenging condition to manage. Treatment options for essential pruritus focus on relieving symptoms and minimizing the itch through the use of topical agents, antihistamines, moisturizers, and other medications. In some cases, psychological therapies or behavioral interventions may also be recommended to address the distress associated with the condition.
Overall, essential pruritus is a term used to describe chronic itching without any apparent cause, emphasizing the need for further research and evaluation to fully understand and effectively manage this condition.
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Itching not dependent upon any apparent lesion of the skin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ESSENTIAL PRURITUS
- essential prurituq
- essential pruritur
- escentialpruritus
- esscentialpruritus
- e ssential pruritus
- es sential pruritus
- ess ential pruritus
- esse ntial pruritus
- essen tial pruritus
- essent ial pruritus
- essenti al pruritus
- essentia l pruritus
- essential pr uritus
- essential pru ritus
- essential prur itus
- essential pruri tus
- essential prurit us
- essential pruritu s
Etymology of ESSENTIAL PRURITUS
The term "essential pruritus" is composed of two parts: "essential" and "pruritus". Let's look at the etymology of each word:
1. Essential:
The word "essential" comes from the Latin word "essentia", which means "being" or "essence". It was later adopted into Middle English as "essencial", and eventually became "essential" in modern English. In the medical context, "essential" often refers to something that is fundamental, necessary, or indispensable.
2. Pruritus:
The word "pruritus" is derived from the Latin verb "prurire", meaning "to itch". The Latin term "pruritus" itself means "an itching sensation". "Pruritus" has remained relatively unchanged in both Latin and English, where it refers to the symptom of itching.
