Brachioradial pruritus: response to treatment with gabapentin

Sir, Brachioradial pruritus is characterized by pruritus localized to the lateral aspect of the arms. It was first described in 1968 by Waisman, who reported one to two patients each year with the disorder in his practice in Southern Florida.1 Chronic sun exposure is thought to be a contributing factor as it is commoner in fair‐skinned people living in tropical climates.2 Nerve root injury from cervical spine disease has also been suggested as its cause.3, 4 Brachioradial pruritus is often refractory to treatment with topical or oral corticosteroids and antihistamines. There have been anecdotal reports of successful treatment with capsaicin, although a controlled trial showed no effect.5 Cervical spine manipulation has been of benefit in some patients.6 There has been only one previous case report of successful treatment of brachioradial pruritus with gabapentin at a dose of 300 mg six times daily.7 We report two further patients with brachioradial pruritus responding to treatment with gabapentin.