Pruritus is an unpleasant sensation leading to an urge to scratch. For years this symptom of many dermatological, systemic, neurologic, or even psychiatric conditions was diminished or even neglected by researchers and clinicians. As a consequence, antipruritic treatment options were very limited and many patients could not be adequately treated. Fortunately, over the last decade significant progress has been made in our understanding of pruritus and various new research groups have started investigation on these symptoms, both in laboratories as well as in clinics. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of pruritus resulted in the development of new promising treatment options which are currently tested in clinical trials. Such novel treatment modalities are giving a hope for patients suffering from this disturbing and burdensome ailment.

This special issue aims to create a multidisciplinary forum for the discussion on recent developments in the field of pruritus. Accepted papers will show a diversity of new advances in the area of pruritus. This special issue accepts high quality original articles, clinical studies, and review papers related to pruritus research and it will let the readers of this journal know more about this very important clinical symptom of so many various conditions.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Pathogenesis of pruritus
• In vitro models of pruritus
• Epidemiology of pruritus
• Diagnostic procedures in pruritus
• Measurement of pruritus
• Treatment options of pruritus
• Quality of life and psychosocial problems in patients with pruritus
• Pruritus in different diseases
• Systemic, neurologic, and psychiatric diseases associated with pruritus