Symptom 6. Persistent Itchiness: The Underlying Tug of Hodgkin Lymphoma
It’s common to experience occasional itches. Yet, imagine a relentless itch enveloping your body, indifferent to lotions or ointments. Hodgkin Lymphoma patients often encounter such pervasive itchiness, medically termed “pruritus“.
This itchiness isn’t localized. It’s a widespread sensation, more like an insistent whisper from within the skin. There’s no evident rash or redness, making it even more perplexing. So, what triggers this itch?
Diving into the science, the malignant Reed-Sternberg cells release specific chemicals, like cytokines. These substances inflame the skin nerves, sending persistent itch signals to the brain. It’s a silent outcry, an echo of the turmoil within.
Interestingly, the sensation has often been described as burning or stinging, somewhat different from the familiar itch we’ve all felt. It’s almost as if the skin, the largest organ in our body, is sounding an alarm.
Amidst the constellation of symptoms, pruritus is often the most underestimated. Yet, for the affected individual, it’s a constant reminder, a nagging prod of the underlying malady. (6)
