Nodular prurigo--a clinicopathological study of 46 patients.

In a study of 46 patients with nodular prurigo (NP), potential metabolic causes of pruritus, such as anaemia, hepatic dysfunction, uraemia and myxoedema, were present in 50%. Focal causes of pruritus were important in 37% and included insect bites, venous stasis, folliculitis and nummular eczema. Psycho-social disorders were recorded in over 50% of patients and were considered relevant in 33%. Clinical and histological appearances ranged from classical NP to chronic lichenified eczema. Neural hyperplasia was not a prominent feature.