Scabies

Researchers are evaluating whether cervical traction can help reduce the use of GABAergic medications, such as gabapentin or pregabalin, in people experiencing neuropathic itch on the scalp, arm, or upper back without primary skin rash. This pilot study aims to understand if using a neck traction device can lower medication dosage while managing itch severity. The study is sponsored by Mayo Clinic and focuses on adults aged 18 and older who are on stable doses of these medications. Participants will use a cervical traction device at home daily for 12 weeks while continuing their current prescriptions for gabapentin or pregabalin. Every two weeks during the study, participants will complete electronic surveys to report their itch severity. Based on these survey results, the study team may adjust their medication dosage by up to 33% to find the optimal treatment balance. During the 12-week period, participants will be regularly monitored through surveys assessing itch severity at multiple time points. Researchers will measure changes in GABAergic medication use from the start to the end of the study and track itch severity scores throughout. The study involves ongoing communication with the team, medication adjustments, and adherence to device use and questionnaire completion to evaluate treatment effects and safety.

This research focuses on patients with active Leishmania infection, aiming to diagnose and classify the infection while studying the natural history and host factors contributing to resistant or relapsing disease. The study also investigates the host immune response before and after therapy to better understand disease diagnosis, progression, and treatment response. Patients receive optimal clinical care while contributing valuable samples for laboratory research on leishmanial infections. Participants receive species-based treatment appropriate to their infection. Standard evaluations include biopsies to obtain parasite and host tissue. Following treatment, patients have follow-up visits at 3 months, 6 months remote check-in via photo, telephone, or telehealth, and 12 months to monitor disease progression and treatment response. Additional visits may be scheduled as needed based on clinical status. Samples such as blood, lesion swabs, mucosal swabs, microbiopsies, and skin biopsies are collected for research purposes throughout the study. During the study, participants undergo physical examinations and provide various biological samples for research evaluation. The study tracks clinical and immunologic responses over time, with long-term follow-up beyond one year if clinically necessary. Research measurements include immune workups, genomic data collection, and clinical documentation of disease course to assess treatment safety and effectiveness. Participants can also be evaluated remotely if their physicians can submit required specimens. The total participation duration typically extends to one year post-treatment, with possible annual follow-ups thereafter.

This research focuses on idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury DILI, an unpredictable liver reaction to medications taken at normal doses. DILI is a significant cause of itching pruritus in adults, second only to biliary obstruction, especially in cholestatic or mixed types where bile flow is impaired. The study aims to better understand how often itching occurs in DILI and its effects on patients quality of life, establishing a network of centers for future treatment trials. Participants diagnosed with suspected acute DILI based on specific liver enzyme levels will be observed. The study monitors the incidence, duration, and severity of itching in these patients over several years, along with genetic factors linked to itching. The study does not involve experimental treatments but collects detailed data to inform future therapeutic approaches. During the study, participants will undergo clinical evaluations including liver function tests within 36 hours of enrollment. Patient-reported health status and quality of life will be assessed over a follow-up period of up to four years. Researchers aim to gather comprehensive information on the natural history of itching in DILI, including genetic influences and symptom progression, to support the development of new treatments and improve patient care.

This research aims to test how well Dupixent works to improve itching symptoms that happen after burns, compared to the current standard treatments. The study focuses on adults with post-burn hypertrophic scars who continue to experience itching despite standard care. It is a phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled trial sponsored by Akron Childrens Hospital. Participants will receive six injections of either Dupixent or a placebo over a 12-week period. The dosing starts with two 300 mg loading doses followed by one 300 mg dose every two weeks. Injections are given under the skin in areas such as the thigh, lower abdomen, or upper arm. No dose changes will be made during the study, and the first two doses will be given at separate injection sites. During the 13 weeks of participation, individuals will complete questionnaires that assess daily itch severity, quality of life, treatment benefit, physical functioning, and pain interference. Researchers will measure outcomes using the Itch Severity Scale after 12 weeks. The study includes close monitoring and visits to complete all assessments and injections within the set timeline.

Researchers are studying the effects of polymethylmethacrylate PMMA dialysis membranes on the intensity of itching pruritus in patients with chronic kidney disease CKD stage 5D who are receiving maintenance hemodialysis. The trial compares PMMA membranes to standard polysulfone membranes to see if PMMA can reduce moderate-to-severe itching and improve quality of life related to pruritus. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive maintenance hemodialysis using either PMMA membranes or polysulfone membranes for 2 months. The PMMA membrane is a device with unique adsorption properties, while polysulfone membranes are widely used for effective removal of toxins during dialysis. Each group undergoes their assigned treatment over the study period. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires measuring the intensity of itching and its impact on daily life. Researchers will assess outcomes using the 5D Elman Itch Scale and other itch-related scores from enrollment through 8 weeks of treatment and during 4 weeks of follow-up. Blood tests for inflammation and iron stores will also be monitored. The study runs from January 2025 to October 2025, with all visits and assessments designed to track the effects of the dialysis membranes on pruritus.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in adults aged 18 to 90 years with chronic pruritus of unknown origin CPUO, a condition causing severe itch without a known cause. This Phase 3 study involves two parallel double-blind trials, Study A and Study B, designed to assess dupilumabs impact on severe itch compared to placebo while participants also use non-sedative antihistamines and moisturizers. The study includes a screening period, a run-in period, and treatment followed by a follow-up. Participants will first undergo up to 4 weeks of screening, then a 4-week run-in period during which they receive non-sedative antihistamines and emollients. Those with severe itch scores will be randomly assigned to receive either dupilumab or placebo injections every two weeks for 24 weeks, alongside their antihistamine and moisturizer regimen. After treatment, participants will be followed up for 12 weeks to monitor ongoing effects and safety. During the study, participants will have regular assessments of their itch severity using a worst-itch numerical rating scale, quality of life questionnaires, and mental health evaluations. Researchers will monitor adverse events and immune responses to the drug. The total participation lasts up to 44 weeks, including screening, treatment, and follow-up, to evaluate changes in itch severity, sleep disturbance, and overall well-being.

This research focuses on patients with pruritus sine materia, a condition characterized by chronic itch without an identified cause. The study aims to improve understanding of the clinical and biological aspects of this condition by collecting detailed clinical data and biological samples. It is an observational study conducted by the University Hospital, Brest, designed to build a patient library for long-term analysis. At the start of the study, participants will provide blood samples totaling 52.5 ml, a skin biopsy, and a skin swab. Patients will also complete five questionnaires. Follow-up assessments will occur at 6 months and then annually for 5 years, during which patients will complete the same five questionnaires and clinical data will be collected, but no further biological samples will be taken. Participants will be involved in initial sample collection and questionnaire completion, followed by regular questionnaire-based assessments and clinical data collection over 5 years. The study measures include the clinical description of pruritus and responses to various questionnaires such as the 5-D itch scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Brest questionnaire. This long-term follow-up allows researchers to monitor changes in symptoms and quality of life over time.

Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are common inflammatory skin conditions involving severe itching and skin inflammation, affecting over 120 million people worldwide. These diseases cause distress due to intense itching that leads to a cycle of scratching and worsened symptoms, impacting quality of life and mental health. Researchers are evaluating whether mindfulness meditation, a mental training method to regulate stress and emotions, can reduce itching and improve well-being in patients with moderate pruritic psoriasis or atopic dermatitis who are not using systemic treatments. The study compares two groups one participates in an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction MBSR program featuring weekly 2.5-hour sessions, longer first and last sessions, an optional 6-hour intensive practice day, and guidance by an instructor using meditation, stretching, yoga, and group discussions. The other group receives standard care with no additional intervention. Audio recordings and a manual support home practice for the MBSR group. Participants will be assessed for itching severity using the Visual Analogue Scale VAS at 8 weeks as the primary outcome. Additional evaluations include itch scales, stress markers in saliva and serum, skin lesion severity indexes, number of scratches per day, use of dermatocorticoids, and psychological stress scales at 8 and 16 weeks. The study involves randomized allocation without blinding and monitors changes in symptoms and quality of life over this period.

Researchers are comparing two treatments, ivermectin and moxidectin, to find out which is more effective at reducing onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, through mass drug administration MDA in Angola. Both drugs are approved by the FDA for this disease. The study also examines how these treatments affect other common infections in the area, such as intestinal worms and scabies. It aims to understand their impact on reducing disease prevalence and transmission, and how communities respond to these treatments. The trial involves 20 groups of villages randomly assigned to receive either moxidectin or ivermectin once a year for four years. Moxidectin is given as a single oral dose of 8 mg four 2 mg tablets, while ivermectin is dosed by height with between one and four 3 mg tablets per dose. Before each treatment round, researchers collect skin, stool, and blood samples from selected participants to monitor infection levels and other health indicators. Participants will be involved in yearly treatment rounds for four years, with regular sample collections before each treatment to assess infection prevalence and intensity. Researchers will also test blackflies that transmit the disease and conduct genetic tests on parasites to evaluate transmission changes. The main outcome is the presence of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae 36 months after the first treatment, alongside various secondary measures of infection and disease signs. The study may continue monitoring through 2029 to guide future disease control policies.

Researchers are studying the effects of combining virtual reality VR and hypnosis to reduce chronic itch, a condition that causes ongoing discomfort and has limited treatment options. This study focuses on adults aged 18 to 80 who have had persistent, therapy-resistant itch for at least one year and suffer psychological or functional difficulties due to their condition. The aim is to evaluate whether VR-assisted hypnosis VRH can lessen itch and its related mental burden compared to a waiting list control group. Participants in the VRH group will attend a total of 8 sessions, including a baseline, 6 intervention sessions, and a follow-up session. During each intervention, they receive hypnotic induction combined with VR immersion designed specifically for chronic itch patients. They also practice guided self-hypnosis at home daily using audio recordings with antipruritic suggestions. The control group will complete baseline, final, and follow-up sessions with questionnaires and itch sensitivity tests but will not receive the VRH treatment during the study period. Throughout the study, participants will complete questionnaires measuring itch intensity, the impact of skin disease on daily life, anxiety and depression symptoms, and medical treatment needs at baseline, after the intervention, and at follow-up about six weeks later. Itch sensitivity tests using cowhage plant particles will also be performed. Researchers will monitor these outcomes to assess the effectiveness of VRH. The total study duration includes these sessions and follow-up assessments, allowing evaluation of both immediate and longer-term effects.