Table I.

Therapies for dry skin-induced itch

Therapeutic method	Mechanisms of antipruritic effects
Topical treatment
Emollients	• Reduction in epidermal nerve density
• hydrophilic petrolatum, heparinoid cream, gel-like moisturizing lotion
Film dressings	• Reduction in epidermal nerve density • Prevention of mechanical stimulus
Phototherapy	• Normalization of expression levels of nerve elongation factors and nerve repulsion factors
• Psoralen ultraviolet A	⇨ Reduction in epidermal nerve density
• Narrowband ultraviolet B	• Induction of cutaneous nerve degeneration
• Excimer lamp
Systemic treatment
Neurotropin	• Reduction in epidermal nerve density
μ-receptor antagonist & κ-opioid agonist	• μ-receptor antagonist and κ-opioid agonist in the central nervous system
Collagen tripeptide	• Reduction in epidermal nerve density, normalization of axon-guidance factors
Antioxidants	• Inhibition of oxidative stress in the periphery
Fish oil	• Improvement of skin barrier function
Adjunctive treatment
Second generation of H1-antihistamines, e.g. bepotastine	• Reduction in nerve elongation factors and epidermal hyperplasia