Itch itch with not a wink of sleep.

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: A 55-year-old man of dark complexion presented with multiple extensive swellings over the chest, right upper arm, and left shoulder for 10 years. Swellings were hyperpigmented, firm, and intensely pruritic especially over the chest region. The swellings progressed in size, extended, and developed satellite lesions over its 10 years history.

Question

What is the condition and drugs to reduce itching?

Answer

Keloids are forms of pathologic scarring with sensations of itching and pain, with itching occurring frequently at the periphery and pain occurring in the center [1]. Triamcinolone is a well-tolerated, less toxic drug in the management of patients with keloid and severe itching [2]. We treated our patient with intralesional injection of triamcinolone which resulted in decrease in keloid volume as well as itching, thereby improving the quality of life.