Pruritus (hekka) from the perspective of modern and Persian medicine

Pruritus is one of the most common problems that is seen separately or in combination with various diseases and has been studied in various medical schools. Its various aspects including definition, pathogenesis, types and treatments have been elaborated and tailored to the basics of each medical perspective. This study investigates the pruritus from modern and Persian medicine perspective. This study is a library review focusing on the pruritus. Initially related keywords include pruritus, itching, hekka, hives and wheal was searched among the prestigious scientific and reference textbooks, journals and sites of modern and Persian medicine such as Rook's textbook of dermatology, Habif Clinical dermatology, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, Zakhireh Kharazmshahi, Teb-e-Akbari, Khulasah al-Hikmah, Kamel al-Sana'a al-Tebbiya, Exir-e A'zam, Tohfe Al-Momenin and Makhzan-al-Advie. Then the necessary material was collected and classified and finally the present article was compiled. In both medical schools, the charecteristics and function of the skin are described initially, then the causes and mechanisms of pruritus are defined and explained. To facilitate understanding and presenting the subject, appropriate classificationare presented for each view. Also, for the pruritus treatment, appropriate recommendations have been put forward for each patient or condition. Generally, there is not much difference between the two views, but modern medicine is going more specifically through details. While the Persian medicine discusses more comprehensively. The treatment basis in Persian medicine is based on different individual and environmental conditions.