sodium-bicarbonate and Pruritus

For the same symptoms, (following pruritus without a cutaneous lesion, after contact with water), we must recognise three different etiological circumstances. The physio-pathologies differ in the three cases, as well as their therapy. in aquagenic pruritus of the aged, due to senile sclerosis, the skin must be rehydrated with efficacy but at the same time non-aggressively. in aquagenic pruritus of polyglobulins, therapeutic efficacy of aspirin raises suspicion of involvement of prostaglandins. Idiopathic aquagenic pruritus in young subjects is due to combination of the actions of several chemical mediators. The choice of therapy is difficult and depends on the effect of the addition of bicarbonate of soda to the bath water.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Age Factors; Aspirin; Bicarbonates; Fibrinolysis; Fluoxetine; Globulins; Histamine; Humans; Mast Cells; Pruritus; Sodium; Sodium Bicarbonate; Ultraviolet Rays; Water

Topics: Adult; Bicarbonates; Female; Humans; Pruritus; Sodium; Sodium Bicarbonate; Water

Topics: Bicarbonates; Humans; Pruritus; Seasons; Sodium; Sodium Bicarbonate; Water

Topics: Adult; Bicarbonates; Humans; Male; Pruritus; Sodium; Sodium Bicarbonate; Water

We report our experience in the treatment of two patients with aquagenic pruritus of the elderly and two patients with aquagenic pruritus. Our findings confirm previous reports by others indicating that aquagenic pruritus is not one homogenous entity but rather is composed of two similar but distinct entities, each of which responds to a different treatment. Patients with aquagenic pruritus were helped by adding sodium bicarbonate to the bath water while patients with aquagenic pruritus of the elderly responded to emollients. It is suggested that aquagenic pruritus and aquagenic pruritus of the elderly are two similar but distinct entities. Separating these two entities provides the key to successful treatment, because each of them responds to a different treatment without crossover. This report is only the second report indicating the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate baths in patients with aquagenic pruritus. It is clear that further examples are needed to confirm these findings.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bicarbonates; Emollients; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pruritus; Sodium; Sodium Bicarbonate; Water

Topics: Adult; Bicarbonates; Dermatitis, Atopic; Female; Humans; Pruritus; Sodium; Sodium Bicarbonate

Topics: Adult; Baths; Bicarbonates; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Pruritus; Sodium; Sodium Bicarbonate; Water