About: Psychogenic pruritus

Psychogenic pruritus, also known as psychogenic itch or functional itch disorder is pruritus not associated with a dermatologic or systemic cause. More often than not, it is attributed to a psychiatric cause. Psychogenic pruritus is not the same as neuropathic itch though both are conditions which require more research. This condition is not explained well in DSM-V and is typically considered a diagnosis of exclusion. This condition is not well-studied and it is difficult to ascertain as it is seen by both dermatologists and psychiatrists. In order to provide some consensus to this condition, The French Psychodermatology Group have created diagnostic criteria for this condition.