A chronic inflammatory
eruption of the skin,
usually characterized by the
formation of small whitish
papules (sold, circumscribed elevations of the skin) accompanied by severe itching. The papules, which are deeply seated, are most prominent on the extensor surfaces of the limbs.
The eruptions characteristically begin
early in life. There are two main forms:
prurigo mitis, which is
comparatively mild, and
prurigo agria, which is severe. The condition may be
permanent or it may come and go. In
young children the nonpermanent form may be associated with problems of teething or with eczema.
Summer prurigo is another name for
hydroa vacciniforme, a skin disease usually
affecting adolescent boys and
young men; it appears in the summer on
exposed parts of the body probably as a
reaction to insect bites. It is characterized by the formation of ulcers (which may become encrusted) and vesicles. Following the
onset of puberty, this
disease gradually disappears.