Pruritus represents an independent sensation with its own biological significance, neurons, neuroreceptors and therapeutic strategies. For clinicians, the diagnostic work-up and therapeutic management of pruritus are often difficult. In this review we highlight new findings of pruritus induction with regard to immunologic and neuronal backgrounds in relation to clinical diseases including urticaria, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. At present, ongoing studies investigate diseases, clinical characteristics and therapeutic options of chronic pruritus.