Comparison of Clinical Characteristics Between Hell’s Itch and Aquagenic Pruritus: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Hell's Itch (HI) is a poorly understood condition triggered by UV exposure, while Aquagenic Pruritus (AP) causes severe itching after water exposure. Both conditions are distinct from other photosensitive disorders due to the lack of skin changes. OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics of HI and compare them with AP, analyzing similarities and differences in symptom occurrence and severity. METHODS Cross-sectional surveys were conducted within HI and AP communities (N=671 and N=254, respectively) to assess symptom occurrence and severity. RESULTS Both conditions shared similar pruritus severity. However, pain severity was significantly different, with HI participants reporting more intense pain (92.23%, severity 7.45) compared to AP (39.91%, severity 6.35, P=.0003). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest potential shared pathogenic mechanisms between HI and AP, emphasizing the need for further research to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies.