Itch
(Itching)

Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Gallery of Skin Problems and Images Collection Childhood Skin Problems Slideshow

Medical Author: Alan Rockoff, MD
Medical Revising Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Revising Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is an itch?
• What causes itching?
• Should I scratch the itch?
• What are topical (external) itch treatments?
• What are oral itch treatments?
• When should the doctor be consulted for itching?
• Patient Discussions: Itching - Cause

Featured patient discussions on itch "I strongly believe that my all-over body itching is stress-related. It could go on for weeks or months, but once my stress level is lowered, my itching stops. It took me a long time to determine and realize the cause. I tried different lotions, creams, itch medications, soaps, etc. In a different itching experience from several years ago, I would itch (especially on my upper legs) a lot. The itching was mostly in the evening. After months of itching to the point where bruises would appear, I finally went to the doctor. I had scabies. After applying the cream, I didn't itch. Now my only problem is stress itching." Read all itch comments » Top Searched Itch Terms: jock itch, rectal itch, swimmer's itch, ringworm, herpes, tinea cruris, body rash, dry skin, alopecia areata, pubic lice, lichenification, topical itch treatments, scabies Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

What is an itch?

Itch is an irritation in the skin that elicits an urge to scratch. Itches are a common problem and can be localized (limited to one area of the body) or generalized (occurring all over the body or in several different areas). The medical term for itching is pruritus. Generalized itch, for obvious reasons, is more difficult to treat than localized itch. Itches can also occur with or without skin lesions (for example, bumps or blisters). An itch that is accompanied by visible skin abnormality usually should be evaluated by a physician and, in some cases, by a dermatologist since the problem is likely to be a condition that requires specialized medical treatment (for example, eczema, scabies, etc.).

What causes itching?

Itching can be caused by many conditions. Probably the most common cause of itch is psychological, that is, due to stress, anxiety, etc. Stress also can aggravate itch from other causes. Dry skin is another frequent cause of itch. Many people also report sunburn itch following prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Other causes include metabolic and endocrine disorders (for example, liver or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism), cancers (for example, lymphoma), reactions to drugs, and diseases of the blood (for example, polycythemia vera). Itching is common with allergic reactions. Itching can also result from insect stings and bites such as from mosquito or flea bites.

Infections and infestations of the skin are another cause of itch. Common infectious causes of itch include a fungal infection of the crotch (tinea cruris) commonly known as jock itch, as well as vaginal itching and/or anal itching from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or other types of infections. Another type of parasitic infection resulting in itch is the so-called swimmer's itch. Swimmer's itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to infection with certain parasites of birds and mammals that are released from infected snails in fresh and saltwater. Itch may also result from skin infestation by body lice, including head lice and pubic lice. Most people who have itching, however, do not have a serious underlying condition.

Itching - Cause

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

What was the cause of your itching?

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 20 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• diphenhydramine, Benadryl - Explains the medication diphenhydramine (Benadryl), a drug used for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of various allergic conditions such as seasonal allergic rhinitis.
• Problems With Dental Fillings - Learn about problems with dental fillings. Tooth sensitivity, pain and allergic reactions to silver (amalgam) fillings from a metal allergy are common complications.
• Bed Bugs - Learn what bed bugs (Cimicidae) look like, how they spread, how to treat, kill and detect an infestation (at home, hotel), where they come from and bite symptoms.

Read more Itch related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Health Tip: What Causes Urinary Tract Infections in Women?
• Shingles Recurs More Often Than Thought
• Experimental Vaccine Targets Genital Cancer
• Health Tip: Have a Food Allergy?