Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Itch in Vitiligo and Its Clinical Significance

Table 2

Characteristics of itch in vitiliginous lesions.

Characteristics	(%)
Prevalence of itch	81 (20.2), 95% CI (16.3–24.4)
Intensity of itch in vitiligo (VAS), median (range)	5 (1–10)
Intensity of itch in insect bite (VAS), median (range)	5 (0–10)
Frequency of itch
(i) Always	4 (4.9)
(ii) Often	77 (95.1)
Aggravating factors
(i) Hot environment	40 (49.4)
(ii) Dry skin	47 (58.0)
(iii) Sunlight	20 (24.7)
(iv) Cold environment	13 (16.1)
(v) Seafood	7 (8.6)
Alleviating factors
(i) Topical corticosteroids	45 (55.6)
(ii) Shower	31 (38.2)
(iii) Cold environment	21 (25.9)
(iv) Oral antihistamines	8 (9.9)
(v) Phototherapy	5 (6.2)
Relationship of itch and onset of lesion(s)
(i) Itch before onset	39 (48.1)
Day, median (range)	3 (1–60)
(ii) Itch after onset	37 (45.7)
Day, median (range)	1 (0.5–30)
(iii) Uncertain	5 (6.2)
Itch sensory qualities
(i) Tingling	51 (63.0)
(ii) Crawling	5 (6.2)
(iii) Burning	7 (8.7)
(iv) Pinching	1 (1.2)
(v) Tingling + crawling	5 (6.2)
(vi) Tingling + burning	4 (4.9)
(vii) Tingling + electric discharge	1 (1.2)
(viii) Tingling + tickling	2 (2.5)
(ix) Tingling + crawling + burning	4 (4.9)
(x) Crawling + electric discharge	1 (1.2)
Severity of itch
(i) Mild itch (VAS > 0 to <3.0)	23 (28.4)
(ii) Moderate itch (VAS ≥ 3.0 to <7.0)	35 (43.2)
(iii) Severe itch (VAS ≥ 7.0 to 10).	23 (28.4)