Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of Neuropathic ItchWhat Does Neuropathic Itch Feel Like?Other Types of ItchingHow Is Neuropathic Itch Diagnosed?TreatmentHow Long Does Neuropathic Itching Last?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Neuropathic Itch
What Does Neuropathic Itch Feel Like?
Other Types of Itching
How Is Neuropathic Itch Diagnosed?
Treatment
How Long Does Neuropathic Itching Last?
This article explores how a neuropathic itch differs from other types of itches and discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Some of the common causes of neuropathic itching include:
Common Causes of Chronic Itching
Neuropathic itching differs from other types of itching in that it can often happen along withneuropathic pain. This is because the disorders that cause neuropathic itching affect the same nerve pathways that cause neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic itching can have the following symptoms with or without increased or decreased skin sensitivity.
Unlike with some other types of itching, scratching can actually make neuropathic itching worse.
There are several types of itch. They differ in their causes and from which part of the nervous system they originate. This includes the central nervous system (made up of the brain and spinal cord) and theperipheral nervous system(involving nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord).
Neuropathic itch can be challenging to diagnose. A healthcare provider will want to know about your medical history and will perform a physical examination to look for characteristic signs of neuropathic itch and to rule out other causes. Lab tests, a skin biopsy, and aradiological exam(MRI or CT) may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Home Remedies
Home remedies for neuropathic itch focus on preventing scratching. Scratching an itch can cause lesions, and lesions can itch themselves. When you’re sleeping or not paying attention, scratching can get particularly bad.
Try these tips to reduce scratching injuries:
Medical Treatments
Healthcare providers will often first recommend conservative therapies before moving on to more complex treatments. Treatment for neuropathic itch may include:
A Word From VerywellI’ve seen many instances of well-intentioned patients trying to improve neuropathic itch with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, they do not respond well to these, and too many over-the-counter medications (like Tylenol) can be harmful to the liver. As the article describes, there are several medications specifically geared toward neuropathic pain. Getting the appropriate diagnosis can get you on the right path to relief.—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
I’ve seen many instances of well-intentioned patients trying to improve neuropathic itch with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, they do not respond well to these, and too many over-the-counter medications (like Tylenol) can be harmful to the liver. As the article describes, there are several medications specifically geared toward neuropathic pain. Getting the appropriate diagnosis can get you on the right path to relief.—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
I’ve seen many instances of well-intentioned patients trying to improve neuropathic itch with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, they do not respond well to these, and too many over-the-counter medications (like Tylenol) can be harmful to the liver. As the article describes, there are several medications specifically geared toward neuropathic pain. Getting the appropriate diagnosis can get you on the right path to relief.
—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
It’s hard to predict exactly how long neuropathic itching lasts. Neuropathic itch is often chronic, meaning that it tends not to go away. Treatment of the underlying condition may reduce or prevent symptoms.
Summary
The causes of neuropathic itching are many and often difficult to treat. Treatment options range from ice application and over-the-counter creams to more complex therapies, like anti-seizure drugs and Botox injections.
12 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.
Dhand A, Aminoff MJ.The neurology of itch.Brain.2014 Feb;137(2):313-22. doi:10.1093/brain/awt158
Mitsikostas DD, Moka E, Orrillo E, et al.Neuropathic Pain in Neurologic Disorders: A Narrative Review.Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22419. Published 2022 Feb 20. doi:10.7759/cureus.22419
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.
Kumar P, Thomas J.Trigeminal trophic syndrome.Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59(1):75-6. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.123506
Pinto AC, Wachholz PA, Masuda PY, Martelli AC.Clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic profile of patients with brachioradial pruritus in a reference service in dermatology.An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(4):549-51. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.201644767
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Notalgia paresthetica.
Oaklander AL.Neuropathic itch. In:Itch: Mechanisms and treatment. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2014.
Lima AL, Illing T, Schliemann S, Elsner P.Cutaneous Manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;18(4):541-553. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0275-z
Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: management in primary care.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(635):e418-e420. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477
Pereira MP, Wiegmann H, Agelopoulos K, Ständer S.Neuropathic itch: routes to clinical diagnosis.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:641746. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.641746
Javed S, Petropoulos IN, Alam U, Malik RA.Treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(1):15-28. doi:10.1177/2040622314552071
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
