prurigo /pro͝orī″gō/ [L, an itch] , any of a group of chronic inflammatory conditions of the skin characterized by severe itching and multiple dome-shaped small papules capped by tiny vesicles. As a result of repeated scratching, crusting and lichenification may occur. Some causes of prurigo are allergies, drugs, endocrine abnormalities, malignancies, and parasites. Specific treatment depends on the cause. Symptomatic therapy is the same as for pruritus. A mild form of the disease is called prurigo mitis, a more severe form, prurigo agria or prurigo ferox. See also pruritus. −pruriginous, adj.
