Wounds
-
The problem of postburn itch has been underevaluated and undertreated in the past. However, recently published data have expanded the evidence base, which provides clinicians and their patients with new evaluation and treatment options that can help reduce and potentially eliminate the prolonged distress experienced by burn survivors faced with postburn itch. Although a gold standard evaluation method has not yet been agreed upon, there are a number of tools that have been published that clinicians can use for assessment. ⋯ A number of treatment protocols have been described that commonly call for concurrent administration of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment approaches. These protocols provide clinicians with a structured, systematic approach to treatment decisions that are evidence-based. Although many questions require further investigation, the current state of the science creates an ethical imperative that all burn survivors' itch experience should be quantitatively evaluated and appropriate treatment options explored until satisfactory outcomes are obtained.