Treatment of pruritus by capsaicin in a patient with pityriasis rubra pilaris receiving RE-PUVA therapy

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is characterized by redness of the skin, sca ling and a variable degree of pruritus. We present a patient with extremely itchy PRP successfully treated with oral retinoids and photochemotherapy w ith 8-methoxypsoralene (RE-PUVA) and topical capsaicin. The PRP-related pru ritus which clearly preceded photochemotherapy and for which no other cause was apparent was relieved with capsaicin. This single case report provides evidence that topical capsaicin may be a useful therapeutic option in trea ting PRP-associated pruritus where antihistamines have been unsuccessful.