BACKGROUND

Pruritus significantly impacts quality of life, leading to increased interest in complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) as potential treatments. This review explores the efficacy of various CAMs for pruritus.

METHODS

A comprehensive review was conducted on the effectiveness of several CAMs for pruritus. The Jadad Scale was used to assess the quality of evidence for CAM therapies when relevant. Key CAM therapies reviewed include capsaicin, acupuncture, menthol, camphor, phenol group medicines, oatmeal, and tar.

RESULTS

For capsaicin, several RCTs reported efficacy in reducing pruritus but were limited by issues with patient blinding. The average Jadad score was 3.7. Acupuncture RCTs had mixed results, with some suggesting benefits in uremic and histamine-induced pruritus. The average Jadad score was 3. Evidence for other CAMs like menthol, camphor, and oatmeal was limited.

CONCLUSION

While some studies indicate potential anti-pruritic effects of capsaicin and acupuncture, overall evidence quality is moderate due to study design limitations. Future research should pragmatically compare CAMs to conventional therapies, reflecting real-world clinical use. In the meantime, dermatologists can use this evolving research to provide patients with evidence-based guidance on CAM treatments for pruritus.