Itching (original) (raw)
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Summary
What is itching?
Itching is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin. Sometimes it can feel like pain, but it is different. Often, you feel itchy in one area in your body, but sometimes you may feel itching all over. Along with the itching, you may also have a rash or hives.
What causes itching?
Itching is a symptom of many health conditions. Some common causes are:
- Allergic reactions to food, insect bites, pollen, and medicines
- Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin
- Irritating chemicals, cosmetics, and other substances
- Parasites such as pinworms, scabies, head and body lice
- Pregnancy
- Liver, kidney, or thyroid diseases
- Certain cancers or cancer treatments
- Diseases that can affect the nervous system, such as diabetes and shingles
What are the treatments for itching?
Most itching is not serious. To feel better, you could try:
- Applying cold compresses
- Using moisturizing lotions
- Taking lukewarm or oatmeal baths
- Using over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines
- Avoiding scratching, wearing irritating fabrics, and exposure to high heat and humidity
Contact your health care provider if your itching is severe, does not go away after a few weeks, or does not have an apparent cause. You may need other treatments, such as medicines or light therapy. If you have an underlying disease that is causing the itching, treating that disease may help.
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Pruritis (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
What Makes Us Itch? (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) Also in Spanish
Scratching the Surface on Skin Allergies (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - PDF
Grover's Disease (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
Itchy Hands or Feet (VisualDX)
Lichen Simplex Chronicus (VisualDX)
Notalgia Paresthetica (VisualDX)
Prurigo Nodularis (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
Xerosis (VisualDX)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Pruritus
(National Institutes of Health)Lichen simplex chronicus (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Urticaria pigmentosa (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish