# Pruritus --- **Pruritus** is the fancy medical term for itching. It can be acute (as with a bug bite) or chronic, as with [[eczema]]. ## Lichinification **Lichenification** is a condition that can arrise on the skin when there is excessive scratching or rubbing. The skin becomes thick and leathery, and is basically [[scar tissue]]. Importantly, scar tissue has less of an immune response, which can be problematic if this condition is on a large area of skin. ## Conditions that Cause Pruritus - [[eczema]] - [[contact dermatitis]] - side effect of some [[medicine|medications]] - skin [[parasites]] - [[skin lesion|tinea]] ___