pruritus

American  

[proo-rahy-tuhs] / prʊˈraɪ təs /

noun

Pathology.

1. itching.

---

pruritus British  

/ prʊəˈraɪtəs, prʊəˈrɪtɪk /

noun

1. any intense sensation of itching

2. any of various conditions characterized by intense itching

---

Other Word Forms

• pruritic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pruritus

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin prūrītus an itching, equivalent to prūrī ( re ) to itch + -tus suffix of v. action

Example Sentences

The study involved a total of 20 patients, half of whom had prurigo nodularis and half of whom had chronic pruritus of unknown origin.

From Science Daily

That can cause pruritus — the medical term for itch — though not usually this severe.

From New York Times

Mosquito bites are the most common source of acute itch — or pruritus, in doctor-speak.

From Washington Post

The last dermatologist thought he might have scabies — tiny mites barely visible to the naked eye that can live on the body and cause intense itching, or pruritus.

From New York Times

We examined the patients’ plasma before and after treatment with gefitinib and documented changes in chemokines and leukocyte counts associated with the extent of rash or the presence of pruritus.

From Science Magazine