Causes and Treatments for Itchy Skin (Pruritus)

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Table of Contents

Causes

Overview

Diagnosis

Treatment

There are many different causes of itchy skin (also calledpruritus). Causes of itchy skin can be dermatological, nerve-related, environmental, or associated with psychiatric conditions or other underlying conditions.

This article discusses what can cause itchy skin, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options to provide relief.

Common Causes of Itchy Skin

Many things can cause itchy skin, ranging from skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis to allergic reactions, underlying health conditions, and nutrient deficiencies. In some cases, the itching from these conditions will not have a tell-tale rash.

Allergies

One of the symptoms of an allergic reaction can be itchy skin. After exposure to an allergen, the body generates a robust inflammatory reaction leading to an itchy rash within one to two days.

Anaphylaxis—a severe allergic reaction that can progress into a life-threatening condition—often has symptoms involving the skin, including itching, redness, swelling, and hives.

Skin Disorders

Itchy skin is a symptom of several skin disorders, including:

Reactions to Irritants

Underlying Conditions

Itchy skin can be a symptom of several underlying health conditions, such as:

Psychological Disorders

Itching can be a significant symptom of several psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, psychoses, and substance use. The cause of itching associated with these conditions is not known.

Parasites

Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from that organism. Parasites that cause itching in people include:

Fungal Infections

Bug Bites

We’re all familiar with the itching associated with mosquito bites, but other bugs that can also cause itching include bedbugs, fleas, spiders, sandflies, and chiggers.

Reaction to Medication

Itching can be a side effect of taking certain medications, such as aspirin, prescription-strength pain relievers like opioids, and some blood-pressure drugs. Itch can also be a side effect of some cancer treatments.

Age

As we age, our skin changes. By age 65, skin is thinner and has less moisture, leading to very dry skin that can be intensely itchy.

Nutrition Deficiencies

Studies have linked low levels of some vitamins—such as vitamins D and B12—with itchy skin.Iron deficiency has also been associated with itchy skin.

In addition, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with worse symptoms in skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and chronic urticaria and improved symptoms when treatment includesvitamin D supplementation.

If you are experiencing chronically itchy skin, getting your vitamin levels tested in your blood may be helpful. Your healthcare provider will be able to work with you to determine whether or not a vitamin deficiency is the source of your itch and how best to treat it. Don’t start any vitamin supplements without speaking to your provider first

Nerve Disorders

When a nerve isn’t working properly, it can cause itchy skin. If there’s damage along a nerve due to disease or injury, you can also develop itchy skin. This itch tends to occur in one place on your body and you don’t see a rash.

Demyelinationis a type of nerve damage in which the immune system destroys the fatty covering around nerve fibers, called myelin sheath. Demyelination leads to many symptoms including sensory issues such as skin tingling, stinging, itching, or prickling sensations.

Disorders That Affect Specific Parts of the BodySpecific disorders cause local itching in specific areas of the body. For instance:Scalp:Head lice,seborrheic dermatitisEyelids:Allergic conjunctivitisNose:Allergic rhinitis(hay fever)Ears:Otitis externa(swimmer’s ear)Trunk:Folliculitis,scabiesArms:Brachioradialis pruritisLegs:Xerosis(abnormally dry skin),dermatitis herpetiformisHands and feet:Pompholyx,ringworm,scabiesGroin or armpits:Tinea cruris(jock itch),yeast infectionsAnus:Pruritus ani,pinworms,hemorrhoids

Disorders That Affect Specific Parts of the Body

Specific disorders cause local itching in specific areas of the body. For instance:Scalp:Head lice,seborrheic dermatitisEyelids:Allergic conjunctivitisNose:Allergic rhinitis(hay fever)Ears:Otitis externa(swimmer’s ear)Trunk:Folliculitis,scabiesArms:Brachioradialis pruritisLegs:Xerosis(abnormally dry skin),dermatitis herpetiformisHands and feet:Pompholyx,ringworm,scabiesGroin or armpits:Tinea cruris(jock itch),yeast infectionsAnus:Pruritus ani,pinworms,hemorrhoids

Specific disorders cause local itching in specific areas of the body. For instance:

What’s Happening Inside Your Body

Itching occurs when nerve fibers in the skin send a message to the brain.

Itching may be worse at night because of our body’s sleep-wake cycle (also known as our circadian rhythm). As part of that cycle, our bodies undergo nighttime changes—such as hormone fluctuations, shifts in body temperature, and loss of skin moisture—that canmake itching worse.

Regardless of the cause, with itchiness comes a desire to scratch which often makes an itch worse (and leads to more scratching). This is called the itch-scratch cycle and is an important consideration in treating pruritis.

Pain and itching are closely related sensations. In fact, the same nerves send both signals to the brain. The urge to scratch is actually a reflex response to this signal.

Diagnosing Itchy Skin

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have an itch (with or without a rash) that won’t go away or if it interferes with your daily activities. You should also seek help if your rash is painful, blistering, or shows signs of infection.

What Are the Symptoms of an Infection?

Your healthcare provider will start with a careful history and perform a physical exam. They will examine your rash (if you have one) and look for signs of a more widespread problem.

You may need additional tests to identify what is causing your itch. These could include a complete blood count, HIV test, stool culture (to rule out parasites), or even a skin biopsy. They may also perform tests to assess how your liver, kidneys, or thyroid are functioning.

Visit the emergency room if you have a sudden rash that spreads rapidly, develop a fever with your rash, or if the rash is all over your body. These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition that requires medical care.

Treatments for Itchy Skin

The best way to stop an itch is to treat the cause. But sometimes, that takes time. Until the underlying problem is corrected, you may need treatment to control the itch and reduce the itch-scratch cycle.

Above all,do not scratch. Gently tapping your skin or applying cool cloths or ice packs to the itch can bring you some relief and avoid causing breaks in the skin that could get infected.

Treatments for itchingmay include medications as well as home remedies.

Medications

Some lotions, creams, and medications can help reduce itchiness.

Common treatments include:

Home Remedies

If you have widespread itching, at-home treatments can be helpful. Regardless of what’s causing your itchy skin, some simple steps at home can help improve your symptoms, prevent dry skin, and reduce the urge to itch. These include:

If you continue to experience itchy skin, you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Best Creams for Itchy Skin

Summary

An uncontrollable itch can be maddening, especially if you aren’t sure why it is happening or how to treat it. Itchy skin—or pruritus—can have a variety of causes, from contact with a skin irritant (like wool) to a more serious condition, so it’s important to understand the reason behind your need to scratch.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have an itch or rash that impacts your daily activities, doesn’t go away, worsens over time, or shows signs of infection. Your provider will be able to help you take steps to reduce or eliminate your symptoms and keep them from coming back.

23 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.National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Allergy & Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About impetigo.National Health Service.Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.Merck Manual.Cholestasis.Misery L, Dutray S, Chastaing M, et al.Psychogenic itch. Transl Psychiatry. 2018;8(1):52. doi: 10.1038/s41398-018-0097-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pinworm infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About scabies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Head lice: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Lice.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: overview.University of Kentucky Department of Entomology.Mystery bites: insect and non-insect causes.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and atopic dermatitis.J Nippon Med Sch. 2021;88(3):171-177. doi:10.1272/jnms.jnms.2021_88-317DermNet NZ.Iron deficiency.Quirk SK, Rainwater E, Shure AK, et al.Vitamin D in atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2016 Aug;12(8):839-47. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2016.1171143National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Signs and symptoms consistent with demyelinating disease.Auyeung KL, Jenkins BA, Kim BS.Clinical management of neuropathic itch. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159(12):1391. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.3384Podder I, Mondal H, Kroumpouzos G.Nocturnal pruritus and sleep disturbance associated with dermatologic disorders in adult patients.International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2021;7(4):403-410. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.010Rinaldi G.The itch-scratch cycle: A review of the mechanisms.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2019 Apr; 9(2):90-97. doi:10.5826/dpc.0902a03Han L, Dong X.Itch mechanisms and circuits.Annu Rev Biophys. 2014;43(1):331-355. doi:10.1146/annurev-biophys-051013-022826American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.National Health Service.Treatments for itchy skin.Additional ReadingEbata T.Drug-Induced Itch Management.Current Problems in Dermatology. 2016. 50:155-63.Mettang T.Uremic itch management.Current Problems in Dermatology. 2016. 50:133-41. doi:10.1159/000446056Rajagopalan M, Saraswat A, Godse K, et al.Diagnosis and management of chronic pruritus: An expert consensus review.Indian J Dermatol. 2017;62(1):7-17. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.198036Şavk E.Neurologic itch management.Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;50:116-123. doi:10.1159/000446053

23 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.National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Allergy & Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About impetigo.National Health Service.Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.Merck Manual.Cholestasis.Misery L, Dutray S, Chastaing M, et al.Psychogenic itch. Transl Psychiatry. 2018;8(1):52. doi: 10.1038/s41398-018-0097-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pinworm infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About scabies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Head lice: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Lice.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: overview.University of Kentucky Department of Entomology.Mystery bites: insect and non-insect causes.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and atopic dermatitis.J Nippon Med Sch. 2021;88(3):171-177. doi:10.1272/jnms.jnms.2021_88-317DermNet NZ.Iron deficiency.Quirk SK, Rainwater E, Shure AK, et al.Vitamin D in atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2016 Aug;12(8):839-47. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2016.1171143National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Signs and symptoms consistent with demyelinating disease.Auyeung KL, Jenkins BA, Kim BS.Clinical management of neuropathic itch. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159(12):1391. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.3384Podder I, Mondal H, Kroumpouzos G.Nocturnal pruritus and sleep disturbance associated with dermatologic disorders in adult patients.International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2021;7(4):403-410. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.010Rinaldi G.The itch-scratch cycle: A review of the mechanisms.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2019 Apr; 9(2):90-97. doi:10.5826/dpc.0902a03Han L, Dong X.Itch mechanisms and circuits.Annu Rev Biophys. 2014;43(1):331-355. doi:10.1146/annurev-biophys-051013-022826American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.National Health Service.Treatments for itchy skin.Additional ReadingEbata T.Drug-Induced Itch Management.Current Problems in Dermatology. 2016. 50:155-63.Mettang T.Uremic itch management.Current Problems in Dermatology. 2016. 50:133-41. doi:10.1159/000446056Rajagopalan M, Saraswat A, Godse K, et al.Diagnosis and management of chronic pruritus: An expert consensus review.Indian J Dermatol. 2017;62(1):7-17. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.198036Şavk E.Neurologic itch management.Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;50:116-123. doi:10.1159/000446053

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.

National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.Allergy & Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About impetigo.National Health Service.Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.Merck Manual.Cholestasis.Misery L, Dutray S, Chastaing M, et al.Psychogenic itch. Transl Psychiatry. 2018;8(1):52. doi: 10.1038/s41398-018-0097-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pinworm infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About scabies.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Head lice: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Lice.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: overview.University of Kentucky Department of Entomology.Mystery bites: insect and non-insect causes.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and atopic dermatitis.J Nippon Med Sch. 2021;88(3):171-177. doi:10.1272/jnms.jnms.2021_88-317DermNet NZ.Iron deficiency.Quirk SK, Rainwater E, Shure AK, et al.Vitamin D in atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2016 Aug;12(8):839-47. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2016.1171143National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Signs and symptoms consistent with demyelinating disease.Auyeung KL, Jenkins BA, Kim BS.Clinical management of neuropathic itch. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159(12):1391. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.3384Podder I, Mondal H, Kroumpouzos G.Nocturnal pruritus and sleep disturbance associated with dermatologic disorders in adult patients.International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2021;7(4):403-410. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.010Rinaldi G.The itch-scratch cycle: A review of the mechanisms.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2019 Apr; 9(2):90-97. doi:10.5826/dpc.0902a03Han L, Dong X.Itch mechanisms and circuits.Annu Rev Biophys. 2014;43(1):331-355. doi:10.1146/annurev-biophys-051013-022826American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.National Health Service.Treatments for itchy skin.

National Eczema Association.Contact dermatitis.

Allergy & Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?

American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About impetigo.

National Health Service.Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Merck Manual.Cholestasis.

Misery L, Dutray S, Chastaing M, et al.Psychogenic itch. Transl Psychiatry. 2018;8(1):52. doi: 10.1038/s41398-018-0097-7

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pinworm infection.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About scabies.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Head lice: signs and symptoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Parasites - Lice.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: overview.

University of Kentucky Department of Entomology.Mystery bites: insect and non-insect causes.

Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and atopic dermatitis.J Nippon Med Sch. 2021;88(3):171-177. doi:10.1272/jnms.jnms.2021_88-317

DermNet NZ.Iron deficiency.

Quirk SK, Rainwater E, Shure AK, et al.Vitamin D in atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2016 Aug;12(8):839-47. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2016.1171143

National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Signs and symptoms consistent with demyelinating disease.

Auyeung KL, Jenkins BA, Kim BS.Clinical management of neuropathic itch. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159(12):1391. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.3384

Podder I, Mondal H, Kroumpouzos G.Nocturnal pruritus and sleep disturbance associated with dermatologic disorders in adult patients.International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2021;7(4):403-410. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.02.010

Rinaldi G.The itch-scratch cycle: A review of the mechanisms.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2019 Apr; 9(2):90-97. doi:10.5826/dpc.0902a03

Han L, Dong X.Itch mechanisms and circuits.Annu Rev Biophys. 2014;43(1):331-355. doi:10.1146/annurev-biophys-051013-022826

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.

National Health Service.Treatments for itchy skin.

Ebata T.Drug-Induced Itch Management.Current Problems in Dermatology. 2016. 50:155-63.Mettang T.Uremic itch management.Current Problems in Dermatology. 2016. 50:133-41. doi:10.1159/000446056Rajagopalan M, Saraswat A, Godse K, et al.Diagnosis and management of chronic pruritus: An expert consensus review.Indian J Dermatol. 2017;62(1):7-17. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.198036Şavk E.Neurologic itch management.Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;50:116-123. doi:10.1159/000446053

Ebata T.Drug-Induced Itch Management.Current Problems in Dermatology. 2016. 50:155-63.

Mettang T.Uremic itch management.Current Problems in Dermatology. 2016. 50:133-41. doi:10.1159/000446056

Rajagopalan M, Saraswat A, Godse K, et al.Diagnosis and management of chronic pruritus: An expert consensus review.Indian J Dermatol. 2017;62(1):7-17. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.198036

Şavk E.Neurologic itch management.Curr Probl Dermatol. 2016;50:116-123. doi:10.1159/000446053

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