Pruritus senilis – colloquially called pruritus of old age – (synonym: skin itching in old age; ICD-10 L29.9: ICD-10: L29.8 – Other pruritus) is an itch in the elderly that often occurs because of decreased sebum secretion by the skin (sebostasis).
Pruritus senilis may be localized or generalized; it may occur free or accompanied by visible skin lesions. It usually triggers a scratching effect.
According to the skin findings, a distinction is made between:
- Pruritus sine materia – itching without visible skin changes (skin redness, blisters, pustules), which may indicate an endogenous disease (internal, neurological or psychiatric diseases).
- Pruritus cum materia – itching with visible skin changes; accompanying dermatoses (skin diseases).
- Pruritus in chronic scratch lesions – itching on the ground of dermatological or non-dermatological diseases.
Seasonal accumulation of the disease: the most common cause of generalized pruritus senilis is dehydration of the skin. This is particularly pronounced in the winter months. The presence of pruritus in winter is called pruritus hiemalis (synonym: winter itch).
Pruritus can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential diagnoses”).
When chronic pruritus first appears, men are older than women.
The prevalence of chronic pruritus is 12.3% in people under 30 years of age and rises to 20.3% in people aged 60 to 70 years (in Germany); about one third of 80-year-olds complain of pruritus senilis.
The incidence (frequency of new cases) of chronic pruritus is 7 %.
Course and prognosis: pruritus senilis, which usually occurs chronically, can be so severe in extreme cases that it significantly reduces the quality of life
