Itchiness Dr Trisha Macnair Almost everyone experiences itchiness now and then but it's more likely to be a persistent problem in people who suffer from atopy or a high risk of allergic disease.

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What is itchiness? Causes and risk factors

Treatment and recovery Advice and support

When our skin itches, we tend to scratch it. However, because scratching usually provides only short-lived relief, and the itchiness often returns more intensely than before, we can get into a cycle of itching and scratching that becomes hard to break.

There are many causes, from insect bites and parasitic infestations such as scabies, to skin conditions such as eczema, or generalised conditions such as jaundice or, much more rarely, leukaemia. Environmental conditions and contact with chemical irritants can also cause itching.

In most cases, something (for example, insect venom) triggers the release of chemicals including histamine from cells within the skin. These chemicals stimulate specific nerve fibres that carry the sensation of itch. Scratching the skin in this itchy area causes the release of more histamine, starting a vicious cycle of itch and scratch.

As the itch then intensifies, it may be accompanied by red, swollen and sometimes broken and oozing skin.

The itching may be widespread or very localised and the affected area is often a clue to the cause. For example, a widespread itch may be a reaction to chemicals in a particular washing powder, while an itch around the anus is commonly caused by threadworms.

The cause of the itch needs to be identified in order to remove or treat the stimulus. A check should be made for possible irritant chemicals in the person’s environment, or allergic triggers, and contact with these prevented. If there are other symptoms suggesting underlying disease such as jaundice further investigations may be needed.

Good control of skin diseases such as eczema will help to reduce itching.

Children should be encouraged not to scratch and told this will make the itch worse. Small babies may need to be dressed with cotton mittens to prevent scratching.

Itchy skin should be bathed with tepid water and a simple non-irritant soap, and kept well moisturised (as dry skin can aggravate itchiness) with a simple perfume-free moisturiser or emollient. Children may find calamine lotion soothing.

Some cases may require medical help, especially if itching is persistent, and particularly if there is no obvious trigger to treat, or if the skin becomes broken and inflamed. Your GP may prescribe antihistamine tablets or syrup.

Broken scratched skin is more likely to become infected, in which case a course of antibiotics may be necessary.

National Eczema Society
Helpline: 0800 089 1122
Email: helpline@eczema.org
Website: www.eczema.org

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in March 2009.