Final answer:
Clinical pruritus is defined as B) Itching Experienced by Patients, representing a subjective sensation associated with a variety of medical conditions including eczema and allergic reactions. It is diagnosed through patient history and potential skin tests for allergens.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining the question of what clinical pruritus is, the answer would be B) Itching Experienced by Patients. Clinical pruritus refers to the sensation of itching that patients experience, which can be a symptom of various medical conditions. It is a subjective sensation and is considered a symptom because it is felt by the person experiencing it but cannot be externally measured in a clinical setting. For instance, conditions like eczema, which is an allergic reaction presenting as dry, itchy patches of skin, can cause clinical pruritus. Other causes of itching may include contact dermatitis or allergic reactions, as highlighted in the provided scenarios of a patient with allergic eczema and another experiencing itching sensations at the site of a dog bite.
Diagnosing such hypersensitivities often involves a comprehensive patient history and may include tests such as skin testing for common allergens, which help identify the substances causing the allergic response. In the case of eczema, many sufferers show antibodies against dust mites, and management typically involves the use of moisturizers, corticosteroid creams, and immunosuppressants to alleviate symptoms.