# Aquagenic pruritus

Source: https://onco.cc/terms/aquagenic-pruritus/  
OnCo record `aquagenic-pruritus` (Term). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Intense itching, prickling or burning of the skin within minutes of contact with water, typically after a shower. It affects a large minority of people with polycythaemia vera and can be the most disabling symptom.

## Summary

Aquagenic pruritus has no rash and is triggered by water of any temperature. It is thought to involve mast cells and abnormal skin nerve signalling driven by the JAK2 clone. Antihistamines help some; JAK inhibition with ruxolitinib and interferon are the most effective treatments, and phototherapy and SSRIs are used when those are not suitable.

## Fields

- Kind: Term
- Last checked: 2026-09-16
- Tags: polycythaemia-vera; mpn

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquagenic_pruritus
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquagenic_pruritus

## Connected records

- cancers: [Myeloproliferative neoplasms (PV, ET, myelofibrosis)](https://onco.cc/cancers/myeloproliferative-neoplasms/), [Polycythaemia vera (PV)](https://onco.cc/cancers/polycythaemia-vera/)
- drugs: [Ropeginterferon alfa-2b](https://onco.cc/drugs/ropeginterferon-alfa-2b/), [Ruxolitinib](https://onco.cc/drugs/ruxolitinib/)

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JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/aquagenic-pruritus.json