Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsWhen to See a ProviderTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
When to See a Provider
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
“Pruritus” is the medical term foritching, so if you have pruritic dermatitis, you itch a lot. You may feel an intense need to scratch that can set off an itch-scratch cycle that is hard to break. Pruritic dermatitis is not a disease, it’s a symptom of a number of different conditions.
How you treat it depends on what’s setting off the itching. Find out about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for chronic itchy skin known as pruritic dermatitis.
M-Gucci / Getty Images
Pruritic Dermatitis Causes
According to your brain, itching and pain are close relatives. Pain makes you pull back, like when you touch a hot burner. Itching makes you scratch, and may be an evolutionary development that helped our ancestors get rid of skin parasites.
In modern humans, there are many causes of pruritic dermatitis. Here’s a look at some of the more common ones.
Irritation
Irritant contact dermatitis means you itch when your skin is exposed to certain substances in products, materials, and fabrics. Some of the more common irritants include:
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactionsthat cause itching can be closely linked to or overlap with irritants, but they are due to an immune system response, which irritants aren’t.
Histamine, a chemical your body releases when you have an allergic reaction, often leads to itching. An allergic reaction tends to be more severe than one from irritant contact dermatitis. The list of allergens that cause itching is long, but some common ones include:
Herbal remedies and ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine may also cause itching.
Skin Conditions
Pruritic dermatitis is a hallmark symptom of certain common skin conditions. Two of the most common arexerosis(dry skin) andeczema.Eczema is often called “the itch that rashes” because the itching precedes the rash. Common skin conditions that cause pruritic dermatitis include:
Internal Diseases
Some health conditions that affect your internal organs can cause a neurogenic itch. They lead to a reaction involving neuropeptides, which create many of the chemical signals in your brain. Up to 25% of people with chronic itching have an underlying disease associated with pruritic dermatitis.
Internal diseases that cause itching include:
Nerve Disorders
Neuropathic itchingis due tonerve damage. You may also have tingling sensations or numbness. Health conditions that can affect the nerves and cause pruritic dermatitis include:
Mental Disorders
Pregnancy
It’s common forpregnant people to itchdue to a rash that begins on the abdomen and spreads elsewhere, usually in the third trimester or shortly after giving birth. It will disappear on its own. Experts aren’t sure what causes it, but it’s more likely in a first pregnancy.
Itching during pregnancy can also be due to an uncommon liver condition called obstetric cholestasis. This condition requires medical treatment, so if you are itching during your pregnancy, see a healthcare provider.
Pruritic dermatitis is itself a symptom, rather than a disease or condition. You may have red or irritated skin, bumps, or rashes along with itching.Pruritic dermatitis is sometimes worse atnight.
Complications of Pruritic DermatitisIf the itching is intense, the scratching may be as well, which can lead to irritated or thickened skin. It is often worse at night and can disrupt your sleep and affect your quality of life. It can also increase anxiety and other mental health conditions such as depression and even suicidal thoughts.
Complications of Pruritic Dermatitis
If the itching is intense, the scratching may be as well, which can lead to irritated or thickened skin. It is often worse at night and can disrupt your sleep and affect your quality of life. It can also increase anxiety and other mental health conditions such as depression and even suicidal thoughts.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
With so many causes of itchy skin, it can often take a medical professional to diagnose what’s causing it and recommend the appropriate treatment. If your itch doesn’t go away after about two weeks, call a healthcare provider.
Treatment for pruritic dermatitis depends on what’s causing it. Some common treatments include:
Home care:
Prescription treatment:
Causes and Treatments for Itchy Skin (Pruritus)
Summary
Pruritic dermatitis is itchy skin that does not go away. You may have scaly or dry skin, bumps, or rashes along with the itching. There are many causes of itchy skin, including irritation, allergies, skin conditions, some health conditions, and mental health conditions.
If your skin is itching, try moisturizers, cool compresses, and over-the-counter pills or creams for itching. If the itching continues to bother you, call a healthcare provider who can diagnose what’s causing it and, if necessary, prescribe medications to help ease the discomfort.
A Word From Verywell
Pruritic dermatitis can affect your quality of life. If itching is wrecking your sleep or if scratching is making a mess of your skin, see if you can determine what’s triggering it.
If you can’t address it on your own, call a healthcare provider. It may seem like itching is just something you should live with, but it’s worth the time to get to the bottom of it.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA dermatitis rash is a red area on your skin with bumps or blisters. The skin may be dry and look scaly or cracked. If it’s severe, the rash can ooze and crust over.Learn MoreContact Dermatitis SymptomsIf an itch lasts for more than two weeks, it’s time to call a healthcare provider. There are many causes of itching, and most aren’t serious, but a professional diagnosis can help point the way to effective management and treatment.Learn MoreWhen to See a DermatologistPruritic dermatitis can be managed with home care and medical treatment to ease the itching and prevent flares or outbreaks. Learning what’s causing the itching can help you avoid triggers and understand which OTC or prescription medications can help.
A dermatitis rash is a red area on your skin with bumps or blisters. The skin may be dry and look scaly or cracked. If it’s severe, the rash can ooze and crust over.Learn MoreContact Dermatitis Symptoms
A dermatitis rash is a red area on your skin with bumps or blisters. The skin may be dry and look scaly or cracked. If it’s severe, the rash can ooze and crust over.
Learn MoreContact Dermatitis Symptoms
If an itch lasts for more than two weeks, it’s time to call a healthcare provider. There are many causes of itching, and most aren’t serious, but a professional diagnosis can help point the way to effective management and treatment.Learn MoreWhen to See a Dermatologist
If an itch lasts for more than two weeks, it’s time to call a healthcare provider. There are many causes of itching, and most aren’t serious, but a professional diagnosis can help point the way to effective management and treatment.
Learn MoreWhen to See a Dermatologist
Pruritic dermatitis can be managed with home care and medical treatment to ease the itching and prevent flares or outbreaks. Learning what’s causing the itching can help you avoid triggers and understand which OTC or prescription medications can help.
22 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.
MedlinePlus.Pruritus.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.What makes us itch?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.
The Australian College of Dermatologists.Pruritus with no rash.
Nowak D, Yeung J.Diagnosis and treatment of pruritus.Can Fam Physician.2017;63(12):918-924. NO DOI
Nowak DA, Yeung J.Diagnosis and treatment of pruritus.Can Fam Physician.2017;63(12):918-924.
Nowak DA, Yeung J.Diagnosis and treatment of pruritus.2018 Feb;64(2):92].Can Fam Physician.2017;63(12):918-924. NO DOI.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Thyroid disease: a checklist of skin, hair, and nail changes.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.HIV/AIDS and skin conditions.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Is itching a sign of cancer?
Dhand A, Aminoff MJ,The neurology of itch.Brain.2014;137(Pt 2):313-322. doi:10.1093/brain/awt158
Ellis C.Notalgia paresthetica: the unreachable itch.Dermatology Practical & Conceptual. 2013:3-6. doi:10.5826/dpc.0301a02
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pruritic urticarial papule and plaques of pregnancy.
National Health Service.Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Pruritis.
Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: the battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci.2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425
Legat FJ.Itch in atopic dermatitis – what is new?Front Med.2021;8:644760. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.644760
Nowak DA, Yeung J.Diagnosis and treatment of pruritus.Feb;64(2):92].Can Fam Physician.2017;63(12):918-924. NO DOI
Australian College of Dermatologists.Pruritus with no rash.
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?
