Antipruritic
975668
224050465
2008-07-07T02:28:25Z
MickeyI04
4503440
/* Disputed and questionable antipruritics */
'''Antipruritics''', also known as '''anti-itch drugs''', are [[medication]]s that inhibit the [[itch]]ing (Latin: [[pruritus]]) that is often associated with [[sunburn]]s, [[allergic reaction]]s, [[eczema]], [[psoriasis]], [[chickenpox]], [[fungal infection]]s, [[insect bites and stings]] like those from [[mosquito]]es, [[flea]]s, and [[mite]]s, and [[contact dermatitis]] and [[urticaria]] caused by plants such as [[poison ivy]] ([[urushiol-induced contact dermatitis]]) or [[stinging nettle]].
== Common antipruritics ==
[[Topical]] antipruritics in the form of [[cream (pharmaceutical)|cream]]s and [[spray]]s are often available [[Over-the-counter drugs|over-the-counter]]. [[Oral]] anti-itch drugs also exist and are usually [[prescription drug]]s. The [[active ingredient]]s usually belong to the following classes:
* [[Antihistamine]]s such as [[diphenhydramine]] (Benadryl)
* [[Corticosteroid]]s such as [[hydrocortisone]] topical cream
* [[Local anesthetic]]s such as [[benzocaine]] topical cream (Lanacaine)
* [[Counterirritant]]s, such as [[Mentha|mint oil]], [[menthol]], or [[camphor]]<ref name="Hercogova">{{cite journal |author=Hercogová J |title=Topical anti-itch therapy |journal=Dermatologic therapy |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=341–3 |year=2005 |pmid=16297007 |doi=10.1111/j.1529-8019.2005.00033.x |doi_brokendate=2008-06-22}}</ref>
* [[Calamine lotion]], containing [[zinc oxide]] and [[iron(III) oxide]], is a traditional remedy for mild itching, such as that typically associated with [[chicken pox]] - although the USA's [[FDA|Food and Drug Administration]] has asserted that it has little if any effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/1992/09/09/topi.php |title=American Topics. An Outdated Notion, That Calamine Lotion |accessdate=2007-07-19 |format= |work=}}</ref><ref>Appel, L.M. Ohmart and R.F. Sterner, ''Zinc oxide: A new, pink, refractive microform crystal''. AMA Arch Dermatol 73 (1956), pp. 316–324. PMID 13301048</ref>
== Disputed and questionable antipruritics ==
* [[Burow's solution]] ([[aluminium acetate]])
* [[Olive oil]]
* [[Jewelweed]], has been shown to be devoid of any anti-itch activity in several controlled studies <ref>D. Long, N. H. Ballentine, J. G. Marks. ''Treatment of poison ivy/oak allergic contact dermatitis with an extract of jewelweed.'' Am. J. Contact. Dermat. 8(3):150-3 1997 PMID 9249283</ref><ref>M. R. Gibson, F. T. Maher. ''Activity of jewelweed and its enzymes in the treatment of Rhus dermatitis.'' J. Am. Pharm. Assoc. Am. Pharm. Assoc. 39(5):294-6 1950 PMID 15421925</ref><ref>J. D. Guin, R. Reynolds. ''Jewelweed treatment of poison ivy dermatitis.'' Contact Dermatitis 6(4):287-8 1980 PMID 6447037</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Zink | first=B. J. | coauthors=Otten, E.J.; Rosenthal, M.; Singal, B | title=The Effect Of Jewel Weed In Preventing Poison Ivy Dermatitis | journal=Journal of Wilderness Medicine | volume=2 | issue=3 | pages=178–182 | id= | month= | year=1991 | url=[http://www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-abstract&issn=0953-9859&volume=002&issue=03&page=0178 | accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref>
* [[Pulsation]] sticks, generating small pulses (or "clicks") which reduce the itching. They generally use small [[dry cell]]s (?) which last fairly long (up to 4000 clicks). <ref>[http://shop.packyourbags.com/acatalog/Click_Away_Bite_Relief_.html Care Plus Click Away using pulsation against insect bites]</ref>
* [[Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor|SSRIs]] (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) comprise a class of medicines commonly used for depression, and are also said to be effective in controlling pruritus in a small number of refractory cases.<ref name="pmid16112451">{{cite journal | author=Lee CS, Koo J | title=Psychopharmacologic therapies in dermatology: an update | journal=Dermatologic clinics | volume=23 | issue=4 | pages=735–44 | year=2005 | pmid=16112451 | doi=10.1016/j.det.2005.05.015}}</ref>
== Home remedies ==
* Cooling with ice or cold water(usually stops the itch for as long as the ice or cold water is applied){{Fact|date=January 2008}}
* Heating
* Slightly painful stimulation like rubbing, slapping or [[scratch reflex|scratching]], based on a [[spinal]] [[antagonism]] between [[pain]]- and itch-processing neurons{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.jci.org/cgi/content/full/116/5/1174 Frontiers in pruritus research: scratching the brain for more effective itch therapy] ''J. Clin. Invest.'' 116:1174-1185 (2006). DOI 10.1172/JCI28553
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{{Major Drug Groups}}
{{Antipruritics}}
[[Category:Drugs]]
[[ca:Antipruriginós]]