Itching
Itching is a tingling or irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the area. Itching may occur all over the body or only in one location.
There are many causes of itching, including:
- Aging skin
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- Contact dermatitis (poison ivy or poison oak)
- Contact irritants (such as soaps, chemicals, or wool)
- Dry skin
- Hives
- Insect bites and stings
- Parasites such as pinworm, body lice, head lice, and pubic lice
- Pityriasis rosea
- Psoriasis
- Rashes (may or may not itch)
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Sunburn
- Superficial skin
- infections such as
- folliculitis and impetigo
Generalized itching may be caused by:
- Allergic reactions
- Childhood infections (such as chickenpox or measles)
- Hepatitis
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease with jaundice
- Pregnancy Reactions to medicines and substances such as antibiotics (penicillin, sulfonamides), gold, griseofulvin, isoniazid, opiates, phenothiazines, or vitamin A
For itching that does not go away or is severe, see your health care provider.
In the meantime, you can take steps to help deal with the itch:
- Do not scratch or rub the itchy areas. Keep fingernails short to avoid damaging the skin from scratching. Family members or friends may be able to help by calling attention to your scratching.
- Wear cool, light, loose bedclothes. Avoid wearing rough clothing, such as wool, over an itchy area.
- Take lukewarm baths using little soap and rinse thoroughly. Try a skin-soothing oatmeal or cornstarch bath.
- Apply a soothing lotion after bathing to soften and cool the skin.
- Use moisturizer on the skin, especially in the dry winter months. Dry skin is a common cause of itching.
- Apply cold compresses to an itchy area.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity.
- Do activities that distract you from the itching during the day and make you tired enough to sleep at night.
- Try over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Be aware of possible side effects such as drowsiness.
- Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on itchy areas.
Often, the cause of a rash can be determined from how it looks and its location and symptoms. Skin testing, such as a scraping, culture, or biopsy, may also be used to help with diagnosis. Sometimes, the cause of the rash remains unknown.
The rash usually responds well to treatment.
Contact your provider if you have itching that:
- Is severe
- Does not go away
- Cannot be easily explained
Also contact your provider if you have other, unexplained symptoms.
With most itching, you do not need to see a provider. Look for a cause of itching at home.
It is sometimes easy for a parent to find the cause of a child’s itching. Looking closely at the skin will help you identify any bites, stings, rashes, dry skin, or irritation.
Have the itching checked out as soon as possible if it keeps returning and does not have a clear cause, you have itching all over your body, or you have hives that keep returning. Unexplained itching may be a symptom of a disease that could be serious.
Pruritus
References
Dinulos JGH. Urticaria, angioedema, and pruritus. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif’s Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6.
Ständer S, Pereira MP, Weisshaar E, Bernhard JD. Pruritus and dysesthesia. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 6.
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