Powered By
Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic skin condition that causes pruritus (intense itching) and firm, itchy nodules (bumps). It often occurs alongside other health conditions and is linked to inflammation caused by the immune system’s response in the skin.
Also called nodular prurigo, PN is not very common, although health experts believe it may be underdiagnosed. Within the U.S., an estimated 87,634 new cases are diagnosed in adults ages 18 to 64 each year. Treatment usually focuses on medications that help relieve itching and reduce inflammation.
PN usually leads to pruritus, which may be constant or may come and go.
Scratching the itchy areas can eventually cause nodules and scaly skin patches to form. The bumps can make you itch even worse, which causes an itch-scratch cycle: The more you scratch, the more you itch, and you keep scratching.
PN nodules may:
PN nodules can develop anywhere on the body that can be easily scratched, such as the upper and lower back, abdomen, arms, or legs. The skin lesions are often symmetrical — for example, you may have bumps in a similar location on both arms.
People with PN may also experience other indirect symptoms because of their intense itching or skin appearance. Some people may have trouble sleeping, need to miss school or work, or have feelings of depression or low self-esteem.
Researchers don’t yet know the exact cause of PN. It may be linked to changes in the immune system. It may be linked to changes in nerve fibers in the skin or higher nerve sensitivity.
People with certain risk factors are more likely to develop the condition. While PN can occur at any age, it is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 51 and 65. According to a 2018 study, PN is 3.4 times more common in African Americans than in white people.
People with certain chronic health conditions are also more likely to have PN.
PN may develop in people who have underlying skin disorders like:
PN can also be associated with other health conditions, including diabetes, anemia (low levels of red blood cells), gout, and diseases that affect the thyroid, liver, or kidneys. Cancer — including liver cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, and blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma — is also associated with PN.
Certain types of medications, such as cancer drugs, antimalarial drugs, and opioids, can also cause itching as a side effect, which sometimes leads to the development of PN.
Having PN doesn’t necessarily mean that you have another serious disease. PN can occur in people who don’t have any other known health problems. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor about whether it might be a good idea to check for any other conditions, especially if you have other symptoms in addition to itchy skin and nodules.
PN can be diagnosed by a dermatologist (a specialist in skin conditions).
PN may appear similar to other conditions, such as pemphigoid nodularis or psoriasis. A dermatology provider can figure out what is wrong by asking what symptoms you have, how often you have them, and how they affect your life.
If you are experiencing itchy skin or nodules, your dermatologist may perform various tests. They may perform a skin scraping, in which they scrape off the top layer of skin cells to be studied under a microscope for the presence of fungus.
Your doctor may also recommend a skin biopsy, through which they remove a small piece of skin to analyze more closely under a microscope. A biopsy can help your dermatologist identify skin changes such as hyperkeratosis (thickened outer skin layer) and inflammation, which are common in PN.
PN is often linked to other medical conditions, so your doctor may also recommend that you undergo additional tests to check for any other health problems.
PN may persist for several years. There are many potential treatment options, and it may take time — and trying different medications, therapies, or lifestyle changes — to find what works best for you and helps improve your quality of life.
Get updates directly to your inbox.
have very itchy lumps in my hair, what can i use to calm them
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Become a member to get even more
Join
Your Privacy Choices
This is a member-feature!
Sign up for free to view article comments.
I'm new to PN. I found it helpful. Had my first (double) dose of Dupixent a week ago and then got a serious flare which might be due to that initial dose. I have 95 small to medium itchy nodules… read more
We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.
You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.