Prevalence and characteristics of aquagenic pruritus in a young African population

This study aims to describe the prevalence of aquagenic pruritus in a young adult population and describe the circumstances of bathing.A Population-based cross sectional study involving administration of Questionnaires to young adult Nigerians on the occurrence of pruritus associated with bathing.The prevalence of bathing pruritus among respondents in this study was 23.8%. The commonest type of water respondents itch to was rain water (23%) followed by cold water (19%). 8.33% of respondents feels like avoiding bathing because of these.Bathing pruritus is a common finding among young adult Nigerians in the general population.Among cutaneous sensations, itching has a place of unique importance in dermatology and is still best defined as it has been for centuries as an unpleasant sensation which provokes the desire to scratch[1].The entire skin and palpebral conjunctiva has the capacity to itch, although there are great regional and individual differences in itch sensitivity. The perianal, perigenital areas, ear canals, eyelids, and nostrils are especially prone to itching. The peripheral receptors of itching are chiefly confined to the superficially situated papillary dermis which in most areas lies within 0.2 mm of the skin surface. In all likelihood, the very superficial nerve fibre endings and network which function as receptors for itching are the same elements which function in the perception of superficial cutaneous pain.When pruritus occurs during or after contact with water such as occurs in bathing, it is called bathing pruritus which is a form of aquagenic pruritus. This is an extremely common cause of generalized pruritus that is characterized by the development of severe, prickling like, tingling or burning skin lesion and is evoked by contact with water [2].Various properties of water are known to be related for its ability to cause itching when used in bathing. These include the water temperature, physical characteristic/ionic content and the Ph of the w