Prurigo Nodularis

What is prurigo nodularis?

Prurigo nodularis is a skin condition that causes itchy bumps to appear on your body. It usually affects your arms, legs, and upper back, although the bumps can appear anywhere.

The term prurigo is taken from ‘pruritis’, which is a medical term for itching. Nodularis refers to the small, hard bumps (nodules) that form as the condition develops.

The urge to scratch your skin when you have prurigo nodularis is often persistent because the itchiness it causes can be severe. Scratching your skin often makes things worse and can cause more inflammation. It can sometimes lead to an infection developing.

A clinician will usually ask some questions about your symptoms and to see photos of the affected skin before making an official diagnosis. You might then be advised to do some tests through your GP or at a clinic, because prurigo nodularis may be concurrent (occurring alongside) other diseases such as diabetes or hepatitis C.

Treatments for prurigo nodularis are often prescribed to soothe your itching skin, but managing the condition also involves reducing your urge to scratch the affected areas.

Who gets prurigo nodularis?

Prurigo nodularis can affect people of all ages, but it’s most common in those aged 20-60. There’s also evidence to suggest it occurs more frequently and more intensely in women.

A number of long-term diseases have been linked to risks of the rash developing. These include:

• Diabetes
• Hepatitis C
• Untreated HIV
• Lymphoma (both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s)
• Different types of dermatitis

To rule out any of these conditions (along with others that might cause the itchy bumps to form), a clinician will usually ask you to have some blood tests done through your GP. Sometimes a skin scraping is performed so it can be examined under a microscope.

Because prurigo nodularis causes such a persistent urge to scratch, it commonly leads to physical and psychological distress. It can impact the moods, sleep, and general wellbeing of anyone who develops it, which means you’re at risk of developing anxiety and depression if your symptoms aren’t well managed.

Talk to a clinician if you feel like your rash is impacting your mental health.

How common is prurigo nodularis?

A 2018 study of the prevalence of prurigo nodularis in England found that it’s quite rare. At the time of the study, 18,471 people in the country were living with it out of a population of around 56 million, so it’s fair to say it affects a relatively low number of people.

However, comorbidity (the presence of two or more diseases simultaneously) was high among this group, and included depression (41.1%), anxiety (35.4%) and dermatitis (52.2%).

While prurigo nodularis can be classed as uncommon, this study shows the impact the condition can have on people’s mental health and wellbeing. Finding the right treatment can reduce the psychological stress the rash can cause, while improving the symptoms of skin irritation and itchiness.