Diagnostic Considerations

Also consider the following:

Neurotic excoriations: Patients with brachioradial pruritus can excoriate the affected area, while the typical neurotic excoriation patient also has lesions on other accessible areas. An interface and a common etiology may exist between these 2 disorders.
Notalgia paresthetica: This condition is typically associated with pruritus, pain, paresthesia, and hyperesthesia on the back.^[31]Often, a well-circumscribed hyperpigmented patch is present in the symptomatic area.
Zoster sine herpete: This is an unusual manifestation of herpes zoster in which no cutaneous rash is observed. Unilateral paresthesias may be pronounced.
Atopic dermatitis: Itch may be severe, although it usually involves flexor aspects of the elbows and is not associated with tingling. The Medscape Atopic Dermatitis Resource Center may be of interest.

Differential Diagnoses

Workup

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Media Gallery

Area of pruritus demarcated in pen in a middle-aged woman with brachioradial pruritus. Macroscopically, no skin changes are visible.
Subtle excoriations on the dorsal forearm of a middle-aged woman with brachioradial pruritus.

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Author

Julianne Mann, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine

Julianne Mann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

David J Elpern, MD Consulting Staff, The Skin Clinic

David J Elpern, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Hawaii Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Britton R Mann, DAOM, Dip OM, LAc Private Practitioner in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, Metolius Natural Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David F Butler, MD Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Jacek C Szepietowski, MD, PhD Professor, Vice-Head, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University; Director of the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland

Disclosure: Received consulting fee from Orfagen for consulting; Received consulting fee from Maruho for consulting; Received consulting fee from Astellas for consulting; Received consulting fee from Abbott for consulting; Received consulting fee from Leo Pharma for consulting; Received consulting fee from Biogenoma for consulting; Received honoraria from Janssen for speaking and teaching; Received honoraria from Medac for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from Dignity Sciences for consulting; .

Brachioradial Pruritus Differential Diagnoses

Diagnostic Considerations

Differential Diagnoses

References

Tables

Contributor Information and Disclosures

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