Itching is a tingling or irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the affected area.
Alternative NamesPruritus
ConsiderationsItching may occur all over the whole body (generalized) or only in one location (localized).
Common CausesThere are many causes of itching, including:
Generalized itching may be caused by:
For persistent or severe itching, see your health care provider for a diagnosis and treatment instructions.
In the meantime, you can take some steps to help deal with the itch:
Call your provider if itching:
Most itching does not require medical evaluation. Look for an obvious cause of itching at home.
It is sometimes easy for a parent to find the cause of a child's itching. Looking closely at the skin will help you identify any bites, stings, rashes, dry skin, or irritation. Often the cause of itching is fairly obvious, such as a mosquito bite.
Have the itching checked out as soon as possible if it keeps returning and does not have an obvious cause, you have total body itching, or you have hives that keep returning. Unexplained itching may be a symptom of a disease that could be serious.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeYour health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical examination.
You may be asked the following questions:
If there is no infection or skin lesion, tests to find the cause may include:
Your health care provider may prescribe medications such as topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, or tranquilizers.
ReferencesTaylor JS, Zirwas MJ, Sood A. Pruritus. In: Carey WD, ed. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine 2009. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 42.
Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.
Itching is a tingling or irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the affected area.
Alternative NamesPruritus
ConsiderationsItching may occur all over the whole body (generalized) or only in one location (localized).
Common CausesThere are many causes of itching, including:
Generalized itching may be caused by:
For persistent or severe itching, see your health care provider for a diagnosis and treatment instructions.
In the meantime, you can take some steps to help deal with the itch:
Call your provider if itching:
Most itching does not require medical evaluation. Look for an obvious cause of itching at home.
It is sometimes easy for a parent to find the cause of a child's itching. Looking closely at the skin will help you identify any bites, stings, rashes, dry skin, or irritation. Often the cause of itching is fairly obvious, such as a mosquito bite.
Have the itching checked out as soon as possible if it keeps returning and does not have an obvious cause, you have total body itching, or you have hives that keep returning. Unexplained itching may be a symptom of a disease that could be serious.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeYour health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical examination.
You may be asked the following questions:
If there is no infection or skin lesion, tests to find the cause may include:
Your health care provider may prescribe medications such as topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, or tranquilizers.
ReferencesTaylor JS, Zirwas MJ, Sood A. Pruritus. In: Carey WD, ed. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine 2009. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 42.
Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/23/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Itching cream.
itching -> Comezon o picazon
is puppy itching normal
It is the present participle form of a verb (I am itching to get moving). It can be used as a noun (The itching is driving me mad) or an adjective (her itching nose kept her awake).
An abnormal fear of itching, or insects that cause itching.
Acarophobia is the name of the phobia relating to the fear of itching or the insects that cause itching (such as mites or fleas).
Itching is one of the symptoms of Dengue Fever. The itching can be severe and can happen all over the body.
Itching can definitely be considered a withdrawal symptom depending on the addiction. Itching can be a withdrawal symptom from injection drugs for example.
numbness and itching in hand arm and leg
There is only one pubic louse, and it causes itching.
The purpose of itching powder is to make a person itch. The itching powder will make the person feel like they are going crazy.
Usually itching will not go away if you just ignore it. Itching occurs because something is irritating or ticking the skin. Sometimes just a simple scratching will make the itching go away.