Itching and Relief
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By Puxiao Cen, M.D. | Published May 2006

Itching is annoying. Usually, if you have an itch, you scratch it and the itching stops. Itching caused by mosquito bites or wearing certain clothing is easily relieved, while itching from conditions such as eczema or shingles can last for years. Occasionally, itching is a symptom of an underlying problem.

Itching, which is a symptom rather than a disease in itself, can result from many different conditions. Dry skin, insect bites, rashes from a wide variety of allergic reactions, hives, poison ivy, vaginal yeast infections, hemorrhoids, psoriasis, dandruff, shingles, and lice or scabies are common causes. Occasionally, itching that doesn’t go away is an early sign of disease, such as hepatitis, kidney disease, various blood disorders (for example, lack of iron), or a malignant tumor. Generalized itching often accompanies AIDS, thyroid or parathyroid disease, iron defi ciency, pregnancy, and multiple sclerosis. Sometimes, medications are to blame. The most common offenders are body-building steroids, hormone replacement therapy for women, birth control pills, antibiotics, narcotics, cancer chemotherapies, and aspirin and medications related to aspirin. Stress and emotional factors, exercise, and environmental conditions, such as high heat and humidity, can also lead to an urge to scratch.

If the itchy area of your skin is oozing, you can apply a compress that has been soaked in cool water (or water with baking soda, white vinegar, or Epsom salts added) for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day until the skin stops oozing. Don’t apply creams, ointments, lotions, talcum powder, or cornstarch to an oozing wound. If it isn’t oozing, you can apply a topical moisturizer, such as Lubri-derm, Nivea, or Eucerin. Using a vibrator on the area may help reduce the itch.

Over-the-counter drugs help stop the itch in some cases, but they are often ineffective, have side effects, and may even make the problem worse. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride (i.e. Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine maleate (i.e. Aller-Chlor), decrease symptoms in some cases. However, these drugs can lead to drowsiness and interfere with coordination, which pose a problem when driving a car or trying to concentrate at work or school. Other over-the-counter drugs that may be of some benefit include the generally less effective but non-drowsy antihistamines, such as loratadine (i.e. Claritin). An ever-increasing array of prescription oral and topical medicines can provide major improvement. Your doctor will decide whether one of these drugs might work well for you. Included in the current list of options are tranquilizers and antidepressants, light-based therapies, electric stimulators, and acupuncture or acupressure.