Brachioradial pruritus
Alerts and Notices
Important News & Links
Synopsis
![Brachioradial pruritus : Bilateral distribution, Burning skin sensation, Pruritus, Upper arms, Forearms](/visualdx/sympticonswm/3136.png?r=1fdb69a28)
Brachioradial pruritus (BRP), first described as solar pruritus of the elbows (brachioradial summer pruritus), is a chronic recurrent dysesthesia marked by a burning and tingling pruritic sensation. It is commonly localized to the dorsal lateral proximal forearm area, although in some cases, it may spread to involve the more proximal upper arm, shoulder, lower neck, and even the contiguous chest or upper back. It may be unilateral, affecting either arm, but is frequently bilateral. There are no primary lesions, but secondary changes from scratching are often observed.
BRP is a condition of middle age with onset most commonly between 40 and 60 years of age, although cases have been reported as early as adolescence. It tends to affect women more frequently than men, and symptoms are noted to exacerbate in spring and summer in temperate climates.
The underlying cause of BRP is thought to be the result of some perturbation to the cervical nerve roots, specifically a degree of compression of roots in the C3-C7 area, as well as ultraviolet damage, both chronic and acute, to epidermal and dermal nerve fibers.
BRP is a condition of middle age with onset most commonly between 40 and 60 years of age, although cases have been reported as early as adolescence. It tends to affect women more frequently than men, and symptoms are noted to exacerbate in spring and summer in temperate climates.
The underlying cause of BRP is thought to be the result of some perturbation to the cervical nerve roots, specifically a degree of compression of roots in the C3-C7 area, as well as ultraviolet damage, both chronic and acute, to epidermal and dermal nerve fibers.
Codes
ICD10CM:
L29.8 – Other pruritus
SNOMEDCT:
402178001 – Brachioradial pruritus
L29.8 – Other pruritus
SNOMEDCT:
402178001 – Brachioradial pruritus
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential
Subscription Required
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Reviewed:02/21/2021
Last Updated:04/16/2023
Last Updated:04/16/2023
![](/visualdx/7/css/images/vdxlogo-dark-large.png)
Premium Feature
VisualDx Patient Handouts
Available in the Elite package
- Improve treatment compliance
- Reduce after-hours questions
- Increase patient engagement and satisfaction
- Written in clear, easy-to-understand language. No confusing jargon.
- Available in English and Spanish
- Print out or email directly to your patient
Upgrade Today