How I Overcame Years of Pain with One Groundbreaking Treatment

Prurigo Nodularis (PN) is a rare and chronic skin condition characterized by painful nodules and relentless itching. For patients many patients, PN can feel overwhelming, impacting every aspect of life.  What is PN? According to Dr. Shawn Kwatra, M.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine, PN is a severe inflammatory skin disease disproportionately affecting Black Americans. Its hallmark symptom is intense itching, which is often unrelenting and causes significant sleep disruption, anxiety, and depression. This chronic itch can be life-altering, affecting not only a patient’s physical health but also their quality of life. “Many patients experience psychosocial distress due to the appearance of nodules,” Dr. Kwatra explains, noting that the disease can hinder relationships and erode self-confidence. “The nodules also tend to be larger in patients with darker skin tones, so many of our Black and African American patients have thicker, fibrotic nodules,” Dr. Kwatra adds. Eugenia’s Diagnosis: Struggles and Early Symptoms Eugenia’s journey with PN began in 2017. Her initial symptoms were subtle yet disturbing, mainly manifesting as excessive itching with no clear cause.  “I thought maybe it was something in the environment, but the itching wouldn’t stop,” she recalls. For years, Eugenia endured sleepless nights, her skin becoming...