Wound pruritus: pathophysiology and management

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this article is to review literature on wound pruritus, with a focus on summarizing pathophysiology and management. Method: Literature related to the physiology of itch was reviewed. PubMed, MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Embase were searched for all research studies written in English which include "wound" (injury/burn) and "pruritus" (itch) in the title or abstract. Articles were accepted if they involved wounds or acute burns. Literature related to options for management of wound pruritus was reviewed. Results: While all types of wounds can be the source of associated pruritus, most studies have been done concerning pruritus associated with burns. There are treatment options for pruritus which can be considered for management of wound pruritus. Conclusion: Further research is indicated to gain insights into the problem of wound pruritus. As more is learned about the physiology of wound pruritus, more effective management strategies can be developed and employed.

Antibacterial Activity of Medicinal Plants and Their Constituents in the Context of Skin and Wound Infections, Considering European Legislation and Folk Medicine—A Review

“…According to EMA, peppermint ( Mentha × piperita L., Lamiaceae) is intended for skin disorders, manifested as skin irritations. Antipruritic/anti-itching agents, such as menthol or peppermint oil, play an important positive role in skin disorders therapy [ 111 ]. Silva et al (2019) proved that topical formulations based on menthol and saturated fatty acids could be suitable for wound healing.…”