Itching in internal medicine

BACKGROUND Pruritus is a symptom frequently caused by dermatologic disorders and internal diseases; it can be defined as an urgent need of scratching and it can be localized or generalized. Itching is determined by physical or chemical inputs that activate nervous system differently from pain. AIM OF THE STUDY Itching symptom is examined as diagnostic element of internal diseases, especially internistic diseases. The most important internal diseases that can determine itching, their physiopathological mechanisms and therapies are studied with data-related literature and the experience of the author. CONCLUSIONS Internal physician should consider itching as dependent on an internal disease; he should cure the cause of symptom or, if not possible, the symptom itself. Further studies are needed to experience new therapies.