[Pharmacotherapeutic use of antipruritic drugs in skin diseases].

Pruritus is a predominant and serious phenomenon of various skin diseases. As mediators of pruritus, histamine, serotonin (hydroxytryptamine), eicosanoids, neuropeptides, cytokines and proteases are known. The symptomatic treatment of pruritus is variable. Glucocorticoids are well known antipruritic drugs. H1-antihistaminics are used frequently. But the efficacy of these drugs is questionable in dogs. Additionally, mast cell stabilisators, unsaturated fatty acids (i. e. primrose oil, fish oil) and other antipruritic agents (local anesthetics) are used.