Pardon my language, but October is Eczema Awareness Month, and we need to talk about itch.
Dermatologists sometimes call it pruritus, but you know it as itch or itching, and it can be crazy-making.
We wax poetic about what “type” of itch it is and what treatments may or may not help based on the suspected pathophysiology, but relief is what really matters.
We also fear it. The thought of “itch without rash” can make a busy dermatologist shake in their boots.
Itch is debilitating.
Itch is embarrassing.
Itch is a handicap at school, at work, in the dating pool.
Itch is relentless.
Itch is 🔥
Itch can be as bad or worse than pain.
The three images shown about are all published with permission from DermNet and demonstrate skin findings I commonly see in clinic that are all a result of repeated scratching and/or rubbing of chronically itchy skin. And, if you naturally have more pigment in your skin than me, pigmentary changes (lightening and/or darkening of the skin) can be distressing and long-lasting.
According to the National Eczema Association, 79% of people with eczema identify itch as their most burdensome symptom.
Sometime dermatologists gather in big rooms and answer questions like “what defines a flare?” for chronic skin diseases like eczema.
As far as I’m concerned, if you have a chronic skin disease and you think about your skin once or more per day in a negative way (itchy, dry, flaky, unsightly appearance, etc.), you’re flaring, and you deserve relief.
The good news is that relief is possible, but not all dermatologists are the same, so you may have to advocate for yourself or your family member or friend. If you don’t have success on your own, consider an innovative service like my friend Dr. Susan J. Baumgaertel’s myMDadvocate.
There are safe and effective medicines that have revolutionized dermatology (e.g., biologics such as dupilumab) for which about 85% of the prescriptions come from only 15% of dermatology “providers”.
This is a circumstance I hope to change through advocacy and education, but that process will be slow. If you’re suffering, find a board-certified dermatologist who is willing to help you.
When combined with the tools of more conventional western medicine, the many tools in the functional and integrative medicine toolboxes can augment our fight against itch. I’m investing in learning about these so I can better help guide my patients on their transformation journeys.
Share with us a time itch has had an impact on your life or the life of someone you care about and how you or they found relief.
