Scalp pruritus: causes to consider

Letter to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR: I thank Dr Davenport and colleagues for their comprehensive article Scalp pruritus: easing the itch in the February 2018 issue of Medicine Today (pages 12 to 20).¹ Undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus is another condition that may be associated with scalp pruritus.² The itch usually resolves with glycaemic control. Additionally, in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, labetalol therapy may result in scalp tingling and pruritus.³

ADAM MORTON MB BS, FRACP
Senior Staff Specialist in Endocrinology and Obstetric Medicine, Mater Health, Brisbane, Qld.

References
1. Davenport R, Chong AH, Foley P. Scalp pruritus: easing the itch. Med Today 2018; 19(2): 12-20.
2. Scriber M. Diabetes and pruritus of the scalp. JAMA 1977; 237: 1559.
3. Tcherdakoff P. Side-effects with long-term labetalol: an open study of 251 patients in a single centre. Pharmatherapeutica 1983; 3: 342-348.