Recent Examples on the WebUp to 30 percent of patients with H.L. report having pruritus for months or occasionally years before a diagnosis is made.New York Times, 14 Apr. 2021 Mosquito bites are the most common source of acute itch — or pruritus, in doctor-speak. John Kelly, Washington Post, 12 July 2020 When opioid receptors in the brain are activated, these receptors then activate fibers that transmit itch information (or pruritus) to the brain, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens. Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, 12 Nov. 2019 Scientists have been investigating cannabinoids for the treatment of skin conditions such as pruritus, inflammatory skin disease, and skin cancer. Jon Cooper, STAT, 26 June 2018 Sometimes, internal hemorrhoids can prolapse outside the anus, collecting minute particles of feces or other materials and leading to intense itching known as pruritus ani. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 July 2017
Word History
Etymology
Latin, from prurire
First Known Use
1653, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
pruritus
noun
pru·ri·tus prü-ˈrīt-əs
: localized or generalized itching due to irritation of sensory nerve endings : itch