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Home > Information Centre > Itching

Itching

Introduction

The medical name for itching is pruritus.

Itching is an uncomfortable irritation of the skin that causes a desire to scratch the affected area. It is a very common symptom and may affect any area of your body. You can often see a rash or a spot where it occurs.

Itching may occur over your whole body or only in a particular location.

Causes

There are many causes of itching. General itching may be a symptom of many conditions including:

diabetes (Type 1 and 2),

thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism),

some conditions affecting your liver (including primary biliary cirrhosis, liver cancer, hepatitis),

a condition affecting your kidneys (chronic renal failure), and

iron deficiency anaemia.

Other common causes include:

skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus and rosacea,

an infection, such as chickenpox or scarlet fever,

an intense itch of a particular part of your body may be due to the presence of lice (body lice, head lice, pubic lice),

a skin infection caused by a tiny mite (scabies),

anal itch, this is common and may have many causes, including threadworms and haemorrhoids (piles),

a fungal infection (tinea), which can lead to itching between the toes (athlete's foot), in the groin (jock itch) or on the body (ringworm),

candidasis, which can cause itching in the external genitalia in women,

obstetric cholestasis in pregnancy, itching during pregnancy is common, but should be checked out by your doctor or midwife, especially in the third trimester (as it leads to stillbirth),

insect bites and stings, which may cause localized itching and skin irritation,

sunburn or dry skin, and

prickly heat, which is a very itchy rash that appears in hot, humid weather.

Itching can be caused by a reaction to a medicine, or an allergy to many things, including cosmetics or fabrics, contact with certain metals (such as nickel), or contact with poisonous or stinging plants. The itchy red welts of hives (urticaria) on the surface of the skin are usually an allergic reaction to food or medicine.

Diagnosis

See your GP if itching is severe, prolonged, recurring or is associated with other symptoms, such as breathing problems or swelling.

If you have total body itching, without obvious cause or during pregnancy, see your GP as soon as possible as it may be a symptom of a serious underlying condition.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the itching. The following tips may help to relieve itching.

Trying not to scratch. It irritates the skin further, leading to more itching and more scratching. Keep your nails short. Try pinching the skin near the itch between your thumb and forefinger through your clothing; this is less damaging than actual scratching.

Having cool or lukewarm (not hot) showers or baths. Do not use irritating, perfumed soaps, shower gel or deodorants. Use moisturising lotions after your bath to keep your skin from drying out. Un-perfumed lotions, or aqueous cream are available cheaply from your pharmacist.

Adding a little baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) to your bath water or soak your scalp or feet in warm water with baking soda if they are itchy.

Soaking in a bath with 2 cups of rolled oats secured in a sock helps to relieve itching.

Using a cold compress or applying soothing calamine lotion

Avoiding wearing any irritating clothes, such as wool and some man- made fabrics. Wear cotton if possible. Use cool, light, loose bedclothes.

Keeping away from hot, humid environments

Oral antihistamines can help to control allergic reactions and itching. These can be bought over- the counter (OTC). These may help with sleeping and to break the itch-scratch cycle. They might cause drowsiness, so be careful about when you take them, and follow the directions on the packet.

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help on localized itchy areas.

Your doctor can also prescribe certain medications including topical corticosteroids .

If you have itching in less accessible or hairy areas such as the scalp, you can be prescribed lotions (e.g. active ingredient/steroid, in a liquid or gel preparation) specifically for these areas rather than using sticky creams.

Soothing and anti inflammatory essential oils can sometimes help with itching. Try a few drops of Chamomile, Lavender or Melissa in a bath. German Chamomile can be good and as well as using the oils in a bath you can put them into cream or lotion to apply directly to the skin.

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May 2008