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Pruritus—itching for a cause and relief?
P. C. A. KAM,
K. H. TAN,
P. C. A. KAM
P.C.A. Kam, FRCA, FANZCA, FFARCSI, Senior Lecturer, K.H. Tan, MBBS , Provisional Fellow in Anaesthesia, Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, N.S.W. 2050, Australia.
Search for more papers by this authorK. H. TAN
P.C.A. Kam, FRCA, FANZCA, FFARCSI, Senior Lecturer, K.H. Tan, MBBS , Provisional Fellow in Anaesthesia, Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, N.S.W. 2050, Australia.
Search for more papers by this authorP. C. A. KAM,
K. H. TAN,
P. C. A. KAM
P.C.A. Kam, FRCA, FANZCA, FFARCSI, Senior Lecturer, K.H. Tan, MBBS , Provisional Fellow in Anaesthesia, Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, N.S.W. 2050, Australia.
Search for more papers by this authorK. H. TAN
P.C.A. Kam, FRCA, FANZCA, FFARCSI, Senior Lecturer, K.H. Tan, MBBS , Provisional Fellow in Anaesthesia, Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, N.S.W. 2050, Australia.
Search for more papers by this authorSummary
The mechanisms of pruritus, an unpleasant irritation on the skin that provokes an urge to scratch, are reviewed. Whilst symptomatic treatment is only partially effective, antihistamines remain the first choice of treatment. However, recent novel treatment using opiate antagonists, propofol (subhypnotic doses) and serotonin antagonists offer attractive alternatives.
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