Prevalence and characteristics of aquagenic pruritus in a young African population

BMC Dermatol. 2009 Apr 17:9:4. doi: 10.1186/1471-5945-9-4.

Abstract

Background: Aquagenic pruritus (AP) occurs during or after contact of the skin with water such as occurs in bathing.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: Bathing pruritus is a common finding among young adult Nigerians in the general population.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Baths / psychology
  • Cold Temperature
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Phobic Disorders / etiology
  • Prevalence
  • Pruritus / epidemiology*
  • Pruritus / etiology
  • Pruritus / psychology
  • Rain
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Water / adverse effects*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Water