To prevent pruritus, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.
Behavioral risk factors
- Diet
- Malnutrition
- Spices (e.g. chili)
- Drug use
- Amphetamines (indirect sympathomimetic): ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine, MDMA), crystal meth (methamphetamine), or methylphenidate (for high doses and prolonged use of methamphetamine)
- Cocaine
- Opiates or opioids (alfentanil, apomorphine, buprenorphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, loperamide, morphine, methadone, nalbuphine, naloxone, naltrexone, oxycodone, pentazocine, pethidine, piritramide, remifentanil, sufentanil, tapentadol, tilidine, tramadol).
- Psycho-social situation
- Psychosomatic stress
- Stress
- Washing behavior – excessive use of:
- Soaps or shower products
- Bath additives
- Brushing or rubbing the skin (→ in older people, this washes off the already thinner sebaceous film of the skin – the skin loses even more moisture)
- Use of alcohol-containing cleansing agents
- Contact with fabrics (esp. wool)
Environmental pollution – intoxications (poisonings).
- Irritants (chemicals, solvents)
- Air conditioning (dry air)
- Overheated rooms (maximum 21 ° C)
- Dry room climate → use air humidifiers
- Sun (frequent sunbathing) → sunscreen!
- Winter (cold) – cold-dry climates; dry heating air (→ reduction of sebaceous gland secretion); in addition, the following recommendations:
- Air space humidifier
- Wear gloves from < 10 °C outdoor temperature
