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Itching

Also called: Pruritus

Itching is skin tingling or irritation that makes you want to scratch the itchy area. It's a symptom of many health conditions. Common causes are

To soothe itchy skin, you can try cold compresses, lotions and lukewarm baths. Avoid scratching, wearing irritating fabrics and high heat and humidity. Most itching is not serious. However, if you itch all over, have hives that keep coming back or have itching without an apparent cause, you might require medical attention.

Symptoms of Itching

The following features are indicative of Itching:
  • redness
  • bumps
  • blisters
  • dry skin
  • cracked skin
  • leathery skin texture

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Common Causes of Itching

The following are the most common causes of Itching:
  • allergic reactions
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • irritating chemicals
  • parasitic infections

Other Causes of Itching

The following are the less common causes of Itching:
  • rashes
  • pregnancy
  • drugs such as antibiotics, antifungal drugs or narcotic pain medications
  • nerve disorders
  • dermatitis
  • hives
  • psoriasis
  • sunburn
  • impetigo

Risk Factors for Itching

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Itching:
  • allergic reactions
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • exposure to irritating chemicals
  • during pregnancy
  • narcotic pain medications
  • nerve disorders
  • dermatitis
  • hives
  • psoriasis
  • sunburn
  • impetigo
  • Pityriasis rosea

Prevention of Itching

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Itching. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • cleaning and drying the infected area
  • do not scratch the affected skin
  • wear loose clothing
  • avoid irritants
  • apply ointments or gels
  • apply cool, wet compresses

Occurrence of Itching

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Itching cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Itching can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Itching can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Itching

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Itching:
  • Blood test: To detect the cause of itch
  • Tests of thyroid, liver and kidney function: To detect the cause of itch
  • Chest X-rays: To detect the disease causing itching

Doctor for Diagnosis of Itching

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Itching:
  • Dermatologist

Complications of Itching if untreated

Yes, Itching causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Itching is left untreated:
  • skin injury
  • infection
  • scarring

Procedures for Treatment of Itching

The following procedures are used to treat Itching:
  • Light or Photo therapy: To bring itch under control

Self-care for Itching

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Itching:
  • Avoid scratching the itchy areas: Helps in preventing the disease spreading
  • Soft and comfortable clothing: Wear loose and soft clothes
  • Take lukewarm bath: Take lukewarm water bath with mild soap or take oatmeal bath
  • Apply lotion regularly: Apply mild soothing after bath lotion
  • Avoid direct exposure to sun
  • Use sunscreen moisturizer: Use moisturizer or sunscreen in sunlight

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Itching

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Itching:
  • Acupuncture therapy:To relieve the symptoms of itching
  • Do yoga: To reduce stress-induced itching

Is Itching Infectious?

Yes, Itching is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
  • from one person to other

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/24/2019.
This page provides information for Itching.

Related Topics

Itching

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