Prevalence and characteristics of aquagenic pruritus in a young African population

Background: Aquagenic pruritus (AP) occurs during or after contact of the skin with water such as occurs in bathing. Methods: This study aimsto describe the prevalence of aquagenic pruritus in a young adult population and describe the circumstances of bathing. A Population-based cross sectional study involving administration of Questionnaires to young adult Nigerians on the occurrence of pruritus associated with bathing. Results: The prevalence of bathing pruritus among respondents in this study was 23.8%. The commonest type of water respondents itch to was rain water (23%) followed by cold water (19%). 8.33% of respondents feels like avoiding bathing because of these. Conclusion: Bathing pruritus is a common finding among young adult Nigerians in the general population. © 2009 Salami et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.