Responses to Article Regarding a Diagnostic Approach to Pruritus

Double-blind crossover study comparing doxepin with diphenhydramine for the treatment of chronic urticaria. The algorithm we presented in Figure 1 clearly states that when history and physical examination suggest an underlying diagnosis, no laboratory or other testing is suggested. The appearance of dry, flaky skin with a concurrent history of excessive bathing during the winter easily lends itself to a diagnosis of xerosis, and no further testing is indicated.