TITLE:
Ultra-Rapid Relief of Skin Pruritus by a 10% High-Concentration 35 kDa Hyaluronic Acid Fragment Gel: A Case Series
AUTHORS:
Fenghe Xu, Xiaoxiao Jia, Jessica H. Hui, Vera Gorbunova, Mizhou Hui
KEYWORDS:
Skin Pruritus, Hyaluronic Acid Fragment, HA35, Rapid Itch Relief, Case Series
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.2,
February
12,
2026
ABSTRACT: High concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) have been associated with reduced itch responses in certain biological systems, suggesting a potential role for HA fragments in pruritus modulation. This case series evaluated the preliminary efficacy and safety of a 10% high-concentration 35 kDa HA fragment gel (HA35 gel) for the management of human skin pruritus. Methods: This case series included five patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus of diverse etiologies, including eczema, neurodermatitis, insect bites, urticaria, and postoperative wound–associated pruritus. HA35 gel was applied topically to affected areas. Pruritus intensity was assessed using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at baseline and selected post-application time points, including an early patient-reported onset assessment at approximately 10 seconds and extended follow-up intervals of up to 24 hours, depending on individual symptom evolution. Results: Across all cases, topical application of HA35 gel was associated with a rapid reduction in pruritus intensity, with marked relief reported within seconds after application. In most patients, symptom control persisted for several hours, with sustained relief observed for approximately 8 - 12 hours. No local irritation, allergic reactions, or other adverse skin events were reported during the observation period. Conclusion: In this small case series, topical application of a 10% high-concentration HA35 gel was associated with rapid and sustained alleviation of pruritus across different etiologies, accompanied by improvement in inflammatory skin signs. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and suggest that HA35 gel may represent a potential fast-acting, non-steroidal topical option for pruritus management, warranting further controlled investigation.