Itching

Overview

Itching is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin. It's an important symptom of many skin conditions (often combined with a skin rash), but can also indicate diseases of the internal organs or the nervous system. Scratching should be avoided, if possible; use cooling and moisturising ointments instead.

Symptoms

• Irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin
• Symptom of an underlying illness
  • Skin disease (skin rash)
  • Internal organs, hormone problem
  • Infectious disease (e.g. with fever, sore throat, swollen glands)
  • Nervous system
  • Psychiatric ailment

Causes and treatment

Causes

Generalised itching without any discernible skin changes

• Dry skin (also caused by too many showers)
• Dry skin in the elderly (senile pruritus)
• Metabolic disorders: liver, kidney or thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus
• Pregnancy
• Psychological stress

Generalised itching with skin rash

• Allergies or hypersensitivity reactions (also to medication or food)
• Childhood diseases such as chickenpox, rubella
• Jaundice with hepatitis (liver inflammation)
• Blood diseases, e.g. leukaemia

Localised itching

Mostly in combination with a skin rash

• Insect stings and bites
• Allergic reactions (to sunburn, cosmetics, watch straps and other materials)
• Neurodermatitis
• Fungal infection, skin parasites
• Psoriasis
• Genital area: inflammation, infection or hormone deficiencies
• Anus: haemorrhoids or worms

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Examination of skin (rash, scratch marks)
• Blood test (search for an underlying disease)

Possible therapies

• Treatment of underlying disease
• Treatment of itching (ointments or tablets)

What can I do myself?

• Cooling compresses, cooling ointments (cold cream)
• For dry skin, moisturising creams or oil baths
• In addition to the skin, the triggering condition must also be treated
• Support with household remedies
• Cooling compresses with quark or yoghurt; cold affusions
• Dab the skin with vinegar water (add a little vinegar to cold water)
• Use mild, pH-neutral soap for washing
• Evening primrose oil

When to see a doctor?

• Household remedies don't bring relief
• Severe psychological strain, sleeping and concentration problems
• Breathing problems, blood pressure problems
• Fainting/loss of consciousness
• Suspicion of a metabolic disorder or contagious disease (list is not exhaustive)
  • Fever, general feeling of being unwell
  • Swollen stomach
  • Bleeding
  • Stool changes
  • Cloudy or red urine
  • Reduced or no urinary output
  • Yellowish discolouration of skin/eyes
  • Involuntary weight changes

Synonyms

itching, pruritis