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Background. Breaking the itch-scratch cycle and facilitating lesion healing are pivotal in managing prurigo nodularis (PN). This study seeks to assess the efficacy of baricitinib, an oral JAK1/2 inhibitor, for treating PN. Methods. In this prospective pilot study, 12 patients with moderate to severe PN were administered oral baricitinib at a dosage of 4 mg/day for 12 weeks. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of baricitinib in PN patients using the numeric rating scale (NRS) for pruritus, NRS sleep score, a 5-point investigator's global assessment (IGA) scale, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and nodular lesion count at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12. In addition, the NRS pruritus and sleep scores were assessed via phone on days 2 and 4 after baricitinib treatment. Results. Baricitinib treatment led to a statistically significant improvement in the mean NRS pruritus and sleep scores, evident as early as day 2 (57.7% change from baseline; P < 0.001 , and 34.7% change from baseline, P = 0.029 , respectively) and consistently declining thereafter. Evaluation of nodular lesions revealed a significant reduction starting from week 2 (mean difference of 37.08 from baseline; P < 0.001). Analysis of other endpoints, including mean DLQI and IGA scores, also demonstrated substantial improvement at all time points (week 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12) compared to baseline. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitation of a small sample size. This constraint warrants consideration when interpreting the results and generalizing the findings. Conclusion. This preliminary study underscores baricitinib's potential for PN treatment by providing a rapid clinical response. The larger and longer randomized controlled trials are essential to determine the effectiveness, longevity, and safety of baricitinib in managing PN. This trial is registered with TCTR20230227002. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe itching accompanied by multiple nodules throughout the body. There is currently no effective drug-targeted treatment for PN. Dupilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody which can suppress the Th2 inflammatory reaction. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in PN. There were 29 PN patients who received dupilumab treatment for four months. Serum total immunoglobulin E (Ig E), eosinophil counts, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and numeric rating scale (NRS) were assessed on patients before and after treatment. We count the vaccination of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in patients and the impact on PN and treatment measures after vaccination. Plotting was performed using GraphPad Prism8, and the statistical analysis was performed using PASW Statistics18. The eosinophil counts in patients higher decreased to normal, and the Ig E levels gradually decreased and tended to normal levels after receiving dupilumab injection. The average DLQI score at the baseline was 23.93 ± 0.66 and decreased to 11.66 ± 0.55 (P < 0.01) and 1.83 ± 0.22 (P < 0.01) at 1-month and 6-monthfollow-up of treatment, respectively. The average NRS score at the baseline was 9.79 ± 0.08 and decreased to 3.52 ± 0.23 (P < 0.01) and 0.31 ± 0.15 (P < 0.01) at the 1-month and 6-monthfollow-up of treatment, respectively. Our study shows that dupilumab has achieved good efficacy in PN with few adverse reactions and high safety. We can recommend that patients follow the advice of specialists to be vaccinated and under the condition of stable disease, separated from dupilumab treatment for one week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory, itching skin with a significant psychosocial impact on patients and relatives. In adults and adolescents besides flexural eczema, head and neck eczema, and hand eczema, which are the most frequent clinical phenotypes (84.9% and 84.2%, respectively), there are also other possible presentation such as, portrait‐like dermatitis (20.1%), diffuse eczema (6.5%), eczema nummulare‐like (5.8%), prurigo nodularis‐like (2.1%) and erythrodermia (0.7%). Diagnosis can be easy due to the typically distributed eczematous lesions, albeit with age‐related differences, However, it is also extremely heterogeneous in severity, course, and sometimes particular clinical features. Currently, there are no better diagnostic criteria than an experienced dermatologist for the diagnosis of AD. Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment will have an impact not only on the child's physical health, but also and especially on the child's psychological health. The aim of our review was to group the main differential diagnoses in pediatric age where the diagnosis can often hide many pitfalls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, multiple clinical trials of novel drugs for chronic pruritus or prurigo are in progress and show good responses, such as nemolizumab, dupilumab, and serlopitant.3,4 Here, we report a case of refractory PN successfully treated with selective Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor baricitinib. It has been also confirmed that the disruption of neuronal JAK1 signaling reduces chronic itch, indicating the therapeutic effect of JAK inhibitor in PN patients.7 Successful therapeutic cases of prurigo with JAK inhibitor, such as baricitinib used in a case of prurigo-type AD, and tofacitinib used in chronic pruritus patients and recalcitrant PN, were reported previously.8-10 In summary, we report a case of MTX intolerant non-atopic PN patient who responded well to baricitinib, particularly in the rapid relief of pruritus. Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe itching and nodular lesions with uncertain etiology and pathogenesis.1 Previous studies show that PN is related to vicious cycles of chronic pruritus and repeated scratching, so rapid itch control is the core element of PN treatment.2 However, there are currently no medications approved for PN, which leads to highly variable practices in the prescription of off-label medications, including topical therapy, phototherapy, and systemic therapy (immunosuppressants, gabapentioids, thalidomide, antidepressants, etc.). [Extracted from the article]

Dear Editor, Prurigo pigmentosa (PP), also known as Nagashima's disease, is a rare inflammatory dermatosis characterized by pruritic erythematous papules or macules arranged in a reticular pattern. Furthermore, in the group of patients who reported dietary changes, about 40% reported a strict adherence to a ketogenic diet before the onset of PP.[2] Pregnancy was also identified as an exacerbating factor.[3] In addition, PP has been reported in patients with adult-onset Still disease. In this case, increased interleukin (IL) 6 expression in PP lesions was reported.[4] Histologically, PP lesions can show several features. [Extracted from the article]

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is an intensely pruriginous dermatological disorder whose treatment is challenging for dermatologists. It is characterized by eruptions of papules and hyperkeratotic nodules, some of which are eroded, on the extensor surfaces of the limbs. The most commonly used treatments for this condition are oral antihistamines and topical or systemic steroids. Thalidomide is an effective treatment option in cases of recalcitrant PN; however, its most frequent adverse effect is neurotoxicity, which often results in its discontinuation. Lenalidomide is an analogue of thalidomide that is more powerful and associated with less neurotoxicity than thalidomide. We report the third case of PN treated with lenalidomide, which involved a patient who was refractory to thalidomide. Lenalidomide may be a more effective treatment for PN than thalidomide and has a more favorable side effects profile than its counterpart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report on the efficacy of combination therapy of second-generation antihistamine antagonist, fexofenadine hydrochloride, and leukotriene receptor inhibitor, montelukast sodium, for the treatment of 15 prurigo nodularis or pemphigoid nodularis patients, in whom conventional therapy was ineffective. All patients received 10 mg montelukast once a day and 240 mg fexofenadine twice a day for 4 weeks in addition to other medications they had been taking. We assessed the manifestations of the lesions and itching intensity before and after the therapy, and we evaluated each patient as (i) markedly improved, (ii) improved, (iii) slightly improved, (iv) no change, (v) worse. Two patients (13.3%) were evaluated as markedly improved, and the lesions of one patient completely disappeared. Three patients (20.0%) were evaluated as improved, and six patients (40.0%) as slightly improved. Thus, 11 of 15 cases (73.3%) improved by combination therapy of fexofenadine and montelukast, in which nine cases (75.0%) of prurigo nodularis and two cases (66.7%) of pemphigoid nodularis were involved. No patients revealed any side effects. This study revealed that combination therapy of fexofenadine and montelukast was effective for some patients with conventional therapy-resistant prurigo nodularis and pemphigoid nodularis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychocutaneous conditions are frequently encountered in dermatology practice. Prurigo nodularis and lichen simplex chronicus are two frustrating conditions that are classified in this category. They are often refractory to classical treatment with topical corticosteroids and antihistamines. Severe, generalized exacerbations require systemic therapy. Phototherapy, erythromycine, retinoids, cyclosporine, azathiopurine, naltrexone, and psychopharmacologic agents (pimozide, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants) were tried with some success. Here five cases with lichen simplex chronicus and four cases with prurigo nodularis, who responded well to gabapentin, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional tensions in predisposed subjects may play a key role in inducing a pruritic sensation, leading to a scratching that, becoming a self-perpetuating pathomechanism, may represent the main feature of two distinct cutaneous clinical entities: prurigo nodularis and lichen simplex chronicus. Psychogenic factors play a relevant role in both conditions, and they are often associated with depression and dissociative experiences. Hence, the importance of the evaluation of these patients from the point of view of psychodermatology, which may analyze the relationship between skin disease and psychological factors. Patients with real or perceived imperfections in particular areas of the body (face, scalp, hands, and genital area) are more prone to psychologic distress, whereas cutaneous diseases may lead to experience a heightened level of distress. As psychosomatic factors have been estimated to be present in at least one-third of dermatologic patients, effective management of skin conditions involves consideration of the associated emotional factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodermatoses can be classified into five general categories: 1) idiopathic photodermatoses, including polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), actinic prurigo, hyroa vacciniforme, chronic actinic dermatitis, and solar urticaria; 2) photodermatoses which are secondary to exogenous agents, including phototoxic and photoallergic reactions; 3) photodermatoses secondary to endogenous agents, mainly the porphyrias; 4) photoexacerbated dermatoses, including autoimmune disease, infectious conditions, and nutritional deficiencies; and 5) genodermatoses. The initial step in evaluating a photosensitive patient is based on a directed personal and family history. The morphology of the eruption, phototests, and in some patients, photopatch tests are essential in focusing the diagnosis. Skin biopsies and laboratory investigations, such as antinuclear antibody (ANA) panels and porphyrin profiles, may be required to further confirm the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinic prurigo (AP) is an idiopathic photodermatosis that affects mainly the mestizo population in Latin America. It has an early onset, a slight predominance in women, and affects the sun-exposed areas of the skin, causing erythematous papules and lichenified plaques secondary to intense and chronic pruritus. Lesions can be induced by both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). An association with several human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles has been reported. AP is unique among all photodermatoses in its remarkable response to thalidomide. In the past the microscopic features of AP have been considered as nonspecific; however, the constant finding of dense lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates and the immunogenetic features of AP support the existence of an immunologic mechanism in its pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard treatment of prurigo nodularis (PN) includes antihistamines, ultraviolet light, and topical and systemic corticosteroids; unfortunately, PN is notoriously resistant to the conventional therapy. Herewith is described one case of PN, which was initialized with herose as the first-line therapy resulting in complete clinical clearance. Results of follow-up examinations from 2005 to 2009 showed no evidence of recurrence. Findings indicate that herose monotherapy is a potentially promising therapeutic options for PN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]