Itching refers to an unpleasant sensation that causes the need to scratch—the medical term for itching is pruritus. Itching may be confined to a certain area of the body (localized) or can be all over the body (generalized). Itching may beassociated with a rash, which may either be the cause of the itch or the result of the scratching. For some people, there is no visible rash associated with itching. Itching can be debilitating, especially at night when you are trying to sleep.
Laura Porter / Verywell
Why Does Itching Occur?
Itching and pain are closely-related sensations because the same nerves transmit both types of sensory signals to the brain. When the area of skin is scratched, that same area may become even itchier, leading to more scratching. This is called the itch-scratch cycle.
In general, itching can be related to a skin condition or to an underlying systemic (throughout the body) disease. A systemic disease doesn’t usually cause itching in just one area of the skin.
What Causes Itching?
Thecausesof itching can be divided into localized and generalized.
Generalized itchingmay be due to a skin condition or a systemic disease. Skin conditions that cause itching all over the body include hives, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis.
Neuropathic Itch: Treating an Itch You Can’t Scratch
What Common Skin Allergies Cause Itching?
There are three commonallergic skin conditionsthat cause itching. These include atopic dermatitis (eczema), hives (urticaria), and contact dermatitis.
Atopic vs. Contact Dermatitis: How They Differ
What is the Treatment For Itching?
If the cause of the itching is identified and if it can be avoided or corrected, then the itching can be cured. However, this is not always possible. Treatment of the itching depends on the cause, and some general measures would apply to most cases of itching.
Treatment of dry skin as the cause of itching: Many people with dry skin have a difficult time finding relief. Various skin treatments, including over-the-counter moisturizers and prescription steroid creams, may not be effective alone. A technique called “soak and slather” has long been used successfully to treat dry skin.
Certain creams should not be used for itching. These include topical anesthetics, which can cause itchy rashes themselves, and therefore are not recommended.
Facial creams for itching: Only certain types of anti-itch creams can be used on the face. The skin on the face is particularly susceptible to the side effects of topical steroids, and getting these medications into the eyes can result in glaucoma or cataract formation.
Therefore, only the lowest-potency topical steroid that is required to treat symptoms should be used on the face and only for the shortest amount of time possible.
Antihistamines for the treatment of itching: Certain forms of itching, particularly hives, may respond to treatment with oral antihistamines.Non-sedating antihistamines, such asZyrtec (cetirizine)andAllegra (fexofenadine)are generally preferred over sedating antihistamines because they pose less risk of side effects and overdose.
Other causes of itching, such as eczema and contact dermatitis, may not get better with antihistamines. There are many choices of antihistamines, including prescription-only forms and over-the-counter types.
A Word From Verywell
4 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.NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis).Kanani A, Schellenberg R, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2011;7 Suppl 1:S9. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-7-S1-S9Litchman G, Nair PA, Atwater AR, et al.Contact Dermatitis. In: StatPearls.Tivoli YA, Rubenstein RM.Pruritus: an updated look at an old problem.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2009;2(7):30-6.
4 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.NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis).Kanani A, Schellenberg R, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2011;7 Suppl 1:S9. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-7-S1-S9Litchman G, Nair PA, Atwater AR, et al.Contact Dermatitis. In: StatPearls.Tivoli YA, Rubenstein RM.Pruritus: an updated look at an old problem.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2009;2(7):30-6.
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.
NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis).Kanani A, Schellenberg R, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2011;7 Suppl 1:S9. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-7-S1-S9Litchman G, Nair PA, Atwater AR, et al.Contact Dermatitis. In: StatPearls.Tivoli YA, Rubenstein RM.Pruritus: an updated look at an old problem.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2009;2(7):30-6.
NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Kanani A, Schellenberg R, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2011;7 Suppl 1:S9. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-7-S1-S9
Litchman G, Nair PA, Atwater AR, et al.Contact Dermatitis. In: StatPearls.
Tivoli YA, Rubenstein RM.Pruritus: an updated look at an old problem.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2009;2(7):30-6.
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