Imagine waking in the middle of the night, your skin overwhelmed by itchy, hard nodules all over your body.^1,2 You instinctively reach to scratch, but instead of relief, you’re met with more irritation, more discomfort, and more sleepless hours.^2,3 This is the daily reality for Eugenia and many others living with prurigo nodularis – a serious and often misunderstood chronic skin disease that manifests as thick, intensely itchy nodules that develop all over the body, often resulting in sleep disruption and mental health disorders including anxiety and depression.^2,3,4 

In recognition of this often-overlooked disease, the world came together for the first-ever World Prurigo Day on June 21, 2025. This unique online event brought together leading experts, clinicians, and patients to share the latest findings on prurigo nodularis, aiming to shine a light on the challenges faced by those affected, foster understanding, and advocate for better care, research, and support.

“The excessive itching I was experiencing, and the nodules all over my body – I wanted it all to go away.” – Eugenia, prurigo nodularis patient

The hallmark symptoms of prurigo nodularis are nodules all over the body, with a chronic, severe itch that is difficult to control.¹ For those who begin to notice these signs, it's important to consult with a physician to explore possible causes and treatment options. The symptoms disrupt daily activities, lower quality of life, and sleep becomes difficult to achieve and maintain.^2,3,5 In addition to this chronic sleep disruption, mental health challenges can also emerge.^2,5,6 Anxiety and depression often develop, and for some patients, the burden may become severe enough that suicidal thoughts can also arise.⁶ These psychological symptoms are not uncommon in people with prurigo nodularis, which has contributed to the persistent misconception that it is a mental health condition, rather than a physical disease.⁶

For Eugenia, the firm nodules that developed on her skin became barriers that caused her to withdraw from social situations. 

“It impacted me in such a negative way that I felt secluded. I didn’t even want to show my family or my friends what was going on with me.” – Eugenia, prurigo nodularis patient

Sarina Elmariah, MD, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor and Dermatology Director at the UCSF Center for Itch and Neurosensory Disorders in the United States has observed this pattern repeatedly. Patients who once participated fully in social activities now carefully consider their interactions with others; they change how they dress or when they go out and try to avoid situations where their symptoms might be visible.⁷ “Prurigo nodularis is an incredibly overwhelming and devastating disease. It is one of the most challenging disorders in dermatology that we as physicians manage,” Sarina emphasizes. 

At Galderma, we’re dedicated to highlighting the significant impact of this debilitating disease on patients to improve their quality of life. Having marked the inaugural World Prurigo Day, we are taking steps toward raising global awareness of prurigo nodularis and amplifying the voices of those affected by this debilitating condition. 

Together, we can shine a light on this overlooked disease and move toward a future of greater empathy, research, and hope.

References 

1. Huang AH, et al. Prurigo nodularis: epidemiology and clinical features. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83(6): 1559-1565. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.183
2. Kwatra SG. Breaking the itch–scratch cycle in prurigo nodularis. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(8): 757-758. doi: 10.1056/NEJMe191673
3. Joel MZ, et al. Risk of itch-induced sleep deprivation and subsequent mental health comorbidities in patients with prurigo nodularis: A population-level analysis using the Health Improvement Network. JAAD Int. 2023;13: 39-45
4. Bewley A, et al. Prurigo Nodularis: A Review of IL-31RA Blockade and Other Potential Treatments. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(9): 2039–2048. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00782-2
5. Ständer S, et al. IFSI-guideline on chronic prurigo including prurigo nodularis. Itch. 2020;5(4): e42. doi: 10.1097/itx.0000000000000042
6. Brenaut E, et al. The self-assessed psychological comorbidities of prurigo in European patients: a multicentre study in 13 countries. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33(1): 157-162. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15145
7. Rodriguez D, et al. Patient Perspectives on Living With Severe Prurigo Nodularis. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159(11):1205-1212. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.3251