Patient education: Itchy skin (The Basics)

What causes itchy skin? — Most of the time, itchy skin is caused by a minor skin problem, and usually is not serious. But in some cases, it can be a symptom of a more serious health problem. The medical term for itchy skin is "pruritus."

Possible causes of itchy skin include:

●Skin conditions – Dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin problems can all cause itching. Skin injuries, like burns, can also cause itching as they heal.

●Skin irritation or allergic reactions – Itchy skin can happen if your skin is irritated by certain fabrics, metals, soaps, makeup, or other materials or products.

●Certain medicines – Itchy skin can be a side effect of a medicine.

●Nerve disorders – Examples include multiple sclerosis and shingles.

●Mental health disorders – Examples include anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

●Other diseases and disorders – Liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, multiple myeloma, and thyroid problems can all cause itchy skin.

●Being in the heat or humidity

In some cases, itchy skin might not have a clear cause.

What are the symptoms of itchy skin? — The main symptom of itchy skin is feeling the need to scratch the skin. The feeling can be mild or severe. Just 1 part of your skin might be itchy, or you might be itchy all over your body.

Other symptoms that might happen with itchy skin can include:

●Redness

●Bumps or blisters

●Skin that is dry, flaky, cracked, or scaly looking

●Scratches or bleeding from scratching at or rubbing the skin

●Darkening of the skin – This is also called "hyperpigmentation."

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Some cases of itchy skin get better with good skin care. You can try the following to see if your symptoms get better:

●Moisturize your skin every day – Choose gentle, unscented moisturizers and lotions. You can also use petroleum jelly (sample brand name: Vaseline).

●Take care washing your skin – Use cool or lukewarm, not hot, water. Use gentle cleansers instead of harsh soaps or bubble bath.

●Wear gloves when cleaning – This helps protect your skin from harsh soaps and chemicals.

●Avoid scratching your skin. It might help to:

•Wear cotton gloves at night.

•Keep your nails short and clean.

•Cover the parts of your skin that itch.

●Try using a cool compress on the skin – Dip a washcloth in cold water and hold it to the skin. This can help with the itchy feeling, and can keep your skin from getting red or irritated.

●Avoid any materials or products that you think are making you itch.

●Avoid heat and humidity when you can – These can both make itching worse.

Will I need tests? — Maybe. If your itchy skin is mild and is caused by dry skin or something that irritated your skin, you probably won't need any tests. This type of itchy skin often gets better after a couple of weeks of good skin care. But itchy skin that is very severe and distracting, or that doesn't get better, should be seen by a doctor or nurse. Another reason to see a doctor or nurse is if you don't know what is making your skin itchy.

Your doctor or nurse will start by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. If they are not sure what is causing your itching, they might order tests, such as:

●Blood tests

●Allergy tests

●Tests to check how well your liver, kidneys, or thyroid are working

●Skin scraping – For a skin scraping, a doctor gently scrapes the surface of your skin, then looks at the scrapings under a microscope.

●Skin biopsy – For a biopsy, a doctor takes a small sample of skin, then looks at it under a microscope.

●Imaging tests – Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of your body.

How do doctors treat itchy skin? — Treatment depends on what is causing the itching.

Possible treatments might include:

●Topical treatments – These are creams, lotions, or ointments you put on the skin. Your doctor might suggest that you put a "wet wrap" or "wet dressing" over your topical treatment. This is a damp layer of cotton fabric that is covered by a dry layer. The moisture in the wet wrap helps to soothe the skin.

●Pills you take by mouth

●Phototherapy – This is a treatment that uses ultraviolet or "UV" light to treat the skin.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●Your itchy skin is very severe, or is making it difficult to do your usual activities.

●Your itchy skin does not get better after a couple weeks of good skin care at home.

●You think that your itchy skin is caused by an allergy.

●Your skin is itchy all over your body.

●You are not sure what is causing your itchy skin.

More on this topic

Patient education: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) (The Basics)
Patient education: Contact dermatitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Scabies (The Basics)
Patient education: Psoriasis (The Basics)
Patient education: Topical corticosteroid medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use topical medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Hives (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic hives (The Basics)

Patient education: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Contact dermatitis (including latex dermatitis) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Psoriasis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Scabies (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hives (urticaria) (Beyond the Basics)