Aquagenic Pruritus: First Manifestation of Polycythemia Vera
Aquagenic Pruritus can be a first symptom of systemic disease; especially strong
correlation with myeloproliferative disorders was described.
In Polycythemia Vera patients its prevalence varies from 31% to 69%.
In almost half of the cases AP precedes the diagnosis of PV and has significant influence on sufferers’ quality of life. Due to the lack of the insight in pathogenesis of AP the treatment is still largely experiential.
However, the new JAK1/2 inhibitors showed promising results in management of AP among PV patients.
Aquagenic pruritus is a skin condition characterized by the development of intense itching without observable skin lesions and evoked by contact with water at any temperature. Its prevalence varies from 31% to 69% in Polycythemia vera patients.
It has significant influence on sufferers’ quality of life and can exert a psychological effect to the extent
of abandoning bathing or developing phobia to bathing. Although, AP as an important clinical
feature of PV was described for the first time more than 3 decades ago, its pathophysiology,
frequency and management have not been fully established.
PV-associated pruritus is characterized by patients as a generalized itching, tingling,
burning or pricking skin sensation appearing mainly after contact with water, especially during
warm bath or shower, but it could also be triggered by sudden change in temperature, sitting
next to a fire-place or just sweating after exercises.
AP tends to occur on extensor surfaces of the limbs, inter-scapular area, chest and abdominal wall with varying severity–from occasional, mild symptoms to severe, prolonged itching.
Dermatol Open J. 2016; 1(1): 3-5. doi: 10.17140/DRMTOJ-1-102
