Table of Contents
- Itch facts
- What is an itch?
- What are associated symptoms and signs of itching (pruritus)?
- What causes itching?
- What causes itching? (Continued)
- How do health care professionals diagnose itching?
- What types of health care specialists treat itching?
- Should people scratch the itch?
- What are topical itch treatments? Are there any home remedies for itching?
- What are topical itch treatments? Are there any home remedies for itching? (Continued)
- What are oral medications that treat itch?
- Is it possible to prevent itching?
- When should the doctor be consulted for itching (pruritus)?
- What are possible complications of itching?
- What is the prognosis (outlook) for itching?
Quick GuideRosacea, Acne, Shingles: Common Adult Skin Diseases
What are oral medications that treat itch?
Traditionally, antihistamines are used to treat itch. Examples include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton and others). These medicines can induce drowsiness in many people and must be used with care before driving a car or operating heavy machinery. Although antihistamines may help relieve itchy skin, they seem to do so mainly by helping people fall asleep and avoid scratching at night. If falling or staying asleep is not your main problem, you may want to try one of the nonsedating antihistamines. Loratadine (Claritin) and fexofenadine (Allegra and others) are examples of newer second-generation antihistamines that are available without a prescription. The second-generation antihistamines do not have the sedating effects of the older first-generation antihistamines but they are not very effective in quelling the itch.
Butler, David F. "Pruritus and Systemic Disease." Medscape.com. Mar. 8, 2016. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1098029-overview>.
Mann, Julianne. "Brachioradial Pruritus." Medscape.com. Aug. 12, 2016. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1355312-overview>.
United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Cercarial Dermatitis." Jan. 10, 2012.<http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/swimmersitch/faqs.html>.
United States. National Cancer Institute. "Pruritus." June 15, 2016. <http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/pruritus/Patient/page1>.
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Patient Comments
What treatment did you receive for your itching?
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