Dermatológia pre prax 1/2025
Notalgia paresthetica from a dermatologist perspective
Pruritus as a nociceptive signal can be generalized and localized and significantly affects the quality of life of the individual. Localized forms of pruritus represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In clinical practice, it is crucial to distinguish between pruritus based on a primary skin disease and pruritus sine materia. Notalgia paresthetica belongs to a subgroup of neuropathic pain that arises as a result of thoracic radiculopathy. It manifests as localized pain in the Th 2-Th 6 dermatomes, along with other neuropathic pain phenomena such as paresthesias (hypesthesias) and pruritus. Due to secondary skin changes, a dermatovenerologist is often the doctor of first contact for a patient with notalgia paresthetica. However, a comprehensive but individualized approach is needed in the management of the disease. In our work, we emphasize the multidisciplinary overlap of the issue.
Keywords: notalgia paresthetica, dysesthesia, localized pruritus, localized neuropathic pain, pruritus sine materia
