Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTopical SteroidsNon-Steroidal TopicalsOral AntihistaminesHome RemediesPrescriptions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Topical Steroids
Non-Steroidal Topicals
Oral Antihistamines
Home Remedies
Prescriptions
Whether your child is itchy frombug bites,hives, orpoison ivy, some over-the-counter creams and home remedies can bring relief.
While these remedies may help, see your pediatrician if unsure what’s causing the itch.
Your healthcare provider can make sure your child gets the proper treatment.
This article covers common home treatments for itching in babies and children, including over-the-counter (OTC) products and medications your pediatrician may prescribe.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Common Causes of Itching
Topical Steroids to Relieve Itching
Topical steroidsare the go-to treatment for itch relief.
Most of these creams contain 0.5% or 1%hydrocortisone.
Popular brands include:
Hydrocortisone creams are not recommended for children under the age of 2.
Check with your child’s healthcare provider to find out which topical steroids are safe.
When to Avoid SteroidsIf you think your child has an infection that’s causing an itch, do not use steroids.Rubbing steroid cream on infected skin can worsen a rash and lower the body’s ability to fight off bacteria.
When to Avoid Steroids
If you think your child has an infection that’s causing an itch, do not use steroids.Rubbing steroid cream on infected skin can worsen a rash and lower the body’s ability to fight off bacteria.
If you think your child has an infection that’s causing an itch, do not use steroids.
Rubbing steroid cream on infected skin can worsen a rash and lower the body’s ability to fight off bacteria.
Hydrocortisone Cream for Babies
Anti-Itch Non-Steroidal Treatments
You can also put a non-steroidal anti-itch product and a topical steroid on your child’s skin.
Some of these creams or gels have an antihistamine-likeBenadryl(diphenhydramine) in them.
These products block a chemical called histamine, which is involved in allergic reactions and itching.
Benadryl Cream and Oral MedicationsBenadryl cream andoral Benadryl should not be used together. The medication can make children sleepy even in normal doses.
Benadryl Cream and Oral Medications
Benadryl cream andoral Benadryl should not be used together. The medication can make children sleepy even in normal doses.
Topical medications that are not steroids include:
You can apply a wet dressing or compress to your child’s skin.
A soak with Domeboro powder mixed with water (a modified Burow’s solution) or an Aveeno oatmeal bath can also be soothing.
Watch for Allergic ReactionsIf you’re using a skin-numbing cream (anesthetic), watch your child to ensure they do not have an allergic reaction. Allergies to these products are pretty standard.You can tell that a product has an anesthetic because it usually has “-caine"in the name.
Watch for Allergic Reactions
If you’re using a skin-numbing cream (anesthetic), watch your child to ensure they do not have an allergic reaction. Allergies to these products are pretty standard.You can tell that a product has an anesthetic because it usually has “-caine"in the name.
If you’re using a skin-numbing cream (anesthetic), watch your child to ensure they do not have an allergic reaction. Allergies to these products are pretty standard.
You can tell that a product has an anesthetic because it usually has “-caine"in the name.
Benadryl is a common medication to give kids to help with itching. However, Benadryl only lasts for a short time (about four to six hours) and can make kids sleepy.
You do not need a prescription for Benadryl. You can buy the product OTC at your local pharmacy or grocery store.
Benadryl comes in different forms, including liquids, chewable, and dissolving tablets. Having more than one type to choose from is helpful—if your child cannot swallow pills, you have other options.
A prescription-strength drug such asAtarax Vistaril (hydroxyzine)can sometimes help children with itching that OTC products have not helped with.
5 Ways to Soothe Your Child’s Allergy Symptoms
Home Remedies and Alternative Treatments
There are some simple steps you can take at home to help soothe your child’s itching and prevent harm to their skin from scratching, such as:
Since some treatments, like topical steroids, aren’t safe for babies and very young kids, some natural and alternative treatments can be safer options in addition to the steps above.
For example:
How to Get Relief From Itchy Skin
Prescription Treatments
If you do not know why your child is itching, or you cannot get the itching under control, it’s time to call your pediatrician for advice.
Your child’s provider can diagnose the problem and prescribe a prescription-strength medication if needed. These creams often include more substantial steroid doses, such as:
Other options include oral antihistamines, corticosteroids such as prednisone, or other medications. The treatment will depend on what’s causing the itch.
For example, a child with scabies (a condition that is both itchy and contagious) might need Elimite to treat parasites.
Prednisone (a steroid) might help a child with poison ivy, but a child withchickenpoxmight need to avoid steroids.
Skin Conditions That Cause Itching
Summary
Itching can be challenging for kids and parents to deal with. You can try at-home remedies like dressing your child in loose, light clothes, doing a warm or cool bath and compresses, and using OTC anti-itch treatments to ease the scratching.
You can buy itch-stopping topical remedies with or without steroids at your local pharmacy or grocery store. You can also try oral OTC anti-itch medications, which come in different forms.
Call your pediatrician if home remedies or OTC products don’t help your child’s itching or if you’re not sure what’s making your child itch.
They can diagnose the problem and ensure your child gets the proper treatment.
A Cute Caterpillar Can Give Your Child a Rash
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yarbrough KB, Neuhaus KJ, Simpson EL.The effects of treatment on itch in atopic dermatitis.Dermatologic Therapy. 2013;26(2):110-119. doi:10.1111/dth.12032Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D.Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids.Indian J Dermatol.2014;59:460-4.Chaudhary RG, Rathod SP, Jagati A, Baxi K, Ambasana A, Patel D.Prescription and usage pattern of topical corticosteroids among out-patient attendees with dermatophyte infections and its analysis: A cross-sectional, survey-based study.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(3):279-283. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_335_18Johnson & Johnson.Benadryl frequently asked questions.To D, Kossintseva I, de Gannes G.Lidocaine contact allergy is becoming more prevalent.Dermatologic Surgery. 2014;40(12):1367-1372. doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000000190National Library of Medicine.Hydroxyzine.Jaros J, Wilson C, Shi VY.Fabric selection in atopic dermatitis: an evidence-based review.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020;21(4):467-482. doi:10.1007/s40257-020-00516-0.Murota H, Yamaga K, Ono E, Murayama N, Yokozeki H, Katayama I.Why does sweat lead to the development of itch in atopic dermatitis?Exp Dermatol. 2019;28(12):1416-1421. doi:10.1111/exd.13981American Academy of Pediatrics.How to treat & control eczema rashes in children.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat eczema in babies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies.Price NB, Grose C.Corticosteroids contribute to serious adverse events following live attenuated varicella vaccination and live attenuated zoster vaccination.Vaccines (Basel). 2021;9(1):23. doi:10.3390/vaccines9010023
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yarbrough KB, Neuhaus KJ, Simpson EL.The effects of treatment on itch in atopic dermatitis.Dermatologic Therapy. 2013;26(2):110-119. doi:10.1111/dth.12032Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D.Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids.Indian J Dermatol.2014;59:460-4.Chaudhary RG, Rathod SP, Jagati A, Baxi K, Ambasana A, Patel D.Prescription and usage pattern of topical corticosteroids among out-patient attendees with dermatophyte infections and its analysis: A cross-sectional, survey-based study.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(3):279-283. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_335_18Johnson & Johnson.Benadryl frequently asked questions.To D, Kossintseva I, de Gannes G.Lidocaine contact allergy is becoming more prevalent.Dermatologic Surgery. 2014;40(12):1367-1372. doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000000190National Library of Medicine.Hydroxyzine.Jaros J, Wilson C, Shi VY.Fabric selection in atopic dermatitis: an evidence-based review.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020;21(4):467-482. doi:10.1007/s40257-020-00516-0.Murota H, Yamaga K, Ono E, Murayama N, Yokozeki H, Katayama I.Why does sweat lead to the development of itch in atopic dermatitis?Exp Dermatol. 2019;28(12):1416-1421. doi:10.1111/exd.13981American Academy of Pediatrics.How to treat & control eczema rashes in children.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat eczema in babies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies.Price NB, Grose C.Corticosteroids contribute to serious adverse events following live attenuated varicella vaccination and live attenuated zoster vaccination.Vaccines (Basel). 2021;9(1):23. doi:10.3390/vaccines9010023
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yarbrough KB, Neuhaus KJ, Simpson EL.The effects of treatment on itch in atopic dermatitis.Dermatologic Therapy. 2013;26(2):110-119. doi:10.1111/dth.12032Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D.Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids.Indian J Dermatol.2014;59:460-4.Chaudhary RG, Rathod SP, Jagati A, Baxi K, Ambasana A, Patel D.Prescription and usage pattern of topical corticosteroids among out-patient attendees with dermatophyte infections and its analysis: A cross-sectional, survey-based study.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(3):279-283. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_335_18Johnson & Johnson.Benadryl frequently asked questions.To D, Kossintseva I, de Gannes G.Lidocaine contact allergy is becoming more prevalent.Dermatologic Surgery. 2014;40(12):1367-1372. doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000000190National Library of Medicine.Hydroxyzine.Jaros J, Wilson C, Shi VY.Fabric selection in atopic dermatitis: an evidence-based review.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020;21(4):467-482. doi:10.1007/s40257-020-00516-0.Murota H, Yamaga K, Ono E, Murayama N, Yokozeki H, Katayama I.Why does sweat lead to the development of itch in atopic dermatitis?Exp Dermatol. 2019;28(12):1416-1421. doi:10.1111/exd.13981American Academy of Pediatrics.How to treat & control eczema rashes in children.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat eczema in babies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies.Price NB, Grose C.Corticosteroids contribute to serious adverse events following live attenuated varicella vaccination and live attenuated zoster vaccination.Vaccines (Basel). 2021;9(1):23. doi:10.3390/vaccines9010023
Yarbrough KB, Neuhaus KJ, Simpson EL.The effects of treatment on itch in atopic dermatitis.Dermatologic Therapy. 2013;26(2):110-119. doi:10.1111/dth.12032
Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D.Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids.Indian J Dermatol.2014;59:460-4.
Chaudhary RG, Rathod SP, Jagati A, Baxi K, Ambasana A, Patel D.Prescription and usage pattern of topical corticosteroids among out-patient attendees with dermatophyte infections and its analysis: A cross-sectional, survey-based study.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(3):279-283. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_335_18
Johnson & Johnson.Benadryl frequently asked questions.
To D, Kossintseva I, de Gannes G.Lidocaine contact allergy is becoming more prevalent.Dermatologic Surgery. 2014;40(12):1367-1372. doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000000190
National Library of Medicine.Hydroxyzine.
Jaros J, Wilson C, Shi VY.Fabric selection in atopic dermatitis: an evidence-based review.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020;21(4):467-482. doi:10.1007/s40257-020-00516-0.
Murota H, Yamaga K, Ono E, Murayama N, Yokozeki H, Katayama I.Why does sweat lead to the development of itch in atopic dermatitis?Exp Dermatol. 2019;28(12):1416-1421. doi:10.1111/exd.13981
American Academy of Pediatrics.How to treat & control eczema rashes in children.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat eczema in babies.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies.
Price NB, Grose C.Corticosteroids contribute to serious adverse events following live attenuated varicella vaccination and live attenuated zoster vaccination.Vaccines (Basel). 2021;9(1):23. doi:10.3390/vaccines9010023
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