How is aquagenic pruritus treated?

How is aquagenic pruritus treated?

Treatment can be challenging. Providers use a wide range of treatments, including medications, procedures and natural remedies. You may need to try different treatments to find one that works for you.

Providers use a variety of medications and procedures to help relieve itching and pain. These can include:

• Antihistamines, allergy medications.
• Analgesics, pain relievers.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a procedure used to reduce pain.
• Ultraviolet therapy (phototherapy), a procedure that treats some skin conditions.

Other medications that provide relief in some patients include:

• Beta blockers, medications used to treat high blood pressure.
• Cholestyramine, a medication that prevents the absorption of bile acid.
• Naltrexone, a drug used to treat alcohol and opioid use disorders.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a class of antidepressant medications.

Natural remedies for controlling symptoms include:

• Baking soda, sodium bicarbonate in your bath water can raise the pH of the water and may help lessen symptoms.
• Capsaicin, creams containing this active ingredient in chili peppers can help relieve itching and pain after contact with water.
• Beta-alanine, it’s not clear how these supplements help, but some people have reported relief when using them.
• Baby oil, coating your skin with it before taking a shower can help give your skin a protective barrier.