HIV/AIDS-related pruritus
Synopsis

Severe pruritus can occur either in patients who are well-controlled on antiviral therapy or in HIV-infected patients who are not on therapy. Treatment of pruritus should be guided by the primary morphology of the rash or lack thereof. A multiprong approach to treatment may be helpful as underlying dermatoses can be implicated. Idiopathic pruritus should be a diagnosis of exclusion.
Idiopathic, treatment-resistant pruritus is hypothesized to be secondary to the dysregulation of the immune response, which includes hyperactivation of the humoral response in HIV-infected patients. Eosinophilia and/or high IgE levels are sometimes present.
Related topics: pruritus without rash, xerosis
Codes
L29.8 – Other pruritus
SNOMEDCT:
420721002 – AIDS-associated disorder
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Last Updated:01/16/2020