Iron-deficiency and pruritus: a possible explanation of their relationship

Authors

  • Antonella Tammaro Department of NESMOS, Dermatology Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy
  • Camilla Chello Department of NESMOS, Dermatology Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy
  • Marco di Fraia Department of NESMOS, Dermatology Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy
  • Domenico Giordano Department of NESMOS, Dermatology Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy
  • Francesca Magri Department of NESMOS, Dermatology Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy
  • Verdiana Zollo Department of NESMOS, Dermatology Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy
  • Francesca Romana Parisella Faculty of Medicine, Towson University, Towson City, Maryland, USA
  • Gabriella De Marco Department of NESMOS, Dermatology Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20184470

Keywords:

Itch, Iron Deficiency, Anemia

Abstract

Pruritus of unknown origin is defined as itching lasting for more than 3 weeks without a clear identifiable cause. Aetiology of itching is wide ranging and includes chronic renal failure, cholestasis and internal malignancy. Iron deficiency has been described to be causative of pruritus but the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. We report the case of a female patient with iron deficiency anemia and generalized pruritus, resolved after intravenous administration of iron-complex supplements and we explained a possible mechanism between this association.

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References

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Published

2018-10-25

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 4 (2018): October-December 2018

Section

Case Reports