How do I get rid of pruritus?
Treatment for pruritus is unique to each person and varies based on what caused your symptoms. Treatment could include:
- Using a cream, lotion or ointment on your skin.
- Taking medicine to stop itching.
- Stopping or changing a medicine that causes symptoms. Don’t stop taking a medicine until your provider tells you it’s safe to do so.
- Treating or managing any underlying conditions that cause itching.
- Using nonmedical therapies to relieve itching like acupuncture, light therapy or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy.
Are there at-home remedies to treat pruritus?
You can take steps to treat pruritus at home by:
- Regularly using creams and lotions to keep your skin moisturized and prevent dry skin.
- Wearing sunscreen to prevent sunburns and damage from the sun’s UV rays.
- Using unscented or sensitive skin products like detergent and soaps to avoid skin irritation.
- Taking a warm (not hot) bath or shower to relieve itchiness.
- Avoid wearing fabrics that cause skin irritation like wool and synthetic fabrics. Cotton clothing usually doesn’t cause skin irritation.
- Placing a cool washcloth or ice wrapped in a towel over the area of your skin that itches to calm your skin.
What medications treat pruritus?
Your provider may prescribe medications to treat pruritus, including:
Some studies suggest that antidepressant medicines can offer relief to your itchy skin by relaxing the receptors in your body that cause itchiness.
What anti-itch creams treat pruritus?
To treat pruritus, your provider might recommend anti-itch creams to relieve your symptoms. You don’t need a prescription for some types of anti-itch creams and you can purchase them over-the-counter. Look for creams, lotions or ointments that are fragrance-free and contain at least one of the following ingredients to help relieve your itchy skin:
- Hydrocortisone: A drug that stops swelling and inflammation.
- Antihistamines: A drug that relieves symptoms from an allergic reaction.
- Capsaicin: A drug that treats minor aches and pain.
- Aloe vera: A substance extracted from a plant that soothes irritated skin.
- Menthol: A plant-based product that provides a cooling sensation when applied to your skin.
- Petroleum jelly: A mixture of mineral oils and waxes that provides moisture to your skin.
If your itchy skin persists or gets worse after using an anti-itch cream, contact your provider.
How soon after treatment will I feel better?
The length of time you’ll have pruritus depends on the cause of your itchy skin. Some diagnoses are long term and you’ll experience symptoms that come and go throughout your life. For others, your condition could be a temporary irritant that could go away within a couple of days. Talk to your provider about your diagnosis, the cause and how to treat your symptoms to help you feel better faster.
FAQs
Causes of itchy skin include: Skin conditions. Examples include dry skin (xerosis), eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites and hives.
What is the major cause of pruritus? ›
Causes of itchy skin include: Skin conditions. Examples include dry skin (xerosis), eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites and hives.
What is the strongest medicine to stop itching? ›
Short-term use of nonprescription corticosteroid cream may offer short-term relief of itchy, inflamed skin. Or try calamine lotion or creams with menthol (Sarna, others), camphor, capsaicin, or a topical anesthetic, such as pramoxine (adults only).
What deficiency causes pruritus? ›
Iron deficiency can both cause and increase the prevalence of chronic generalized pruritus, according to published research. A statistically significant relationship was found between S. ferritin and the severity of pruritus.
What is the number one cause of skin itching? ›
Your skin often itches because it's dry, or because something that touches it is irritating it. It's also a symptom of skin diseases and infections. It can be a reaction to a medication, or connected to being pregnant.
How do you make pruritus go away? ›
How to relieve itchy skin
- Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin that itches. Do this for about five to 10 minutes or until the itch subsides.
- Take an oatmeal bath. ...
- Moisturize your skin. ...
- Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine.
- Apply cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine.
Dermatomyositis is by far the most conspicuously pruritus-affected ACTD, even more than other common inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, and other ACTDs such as LE (6-10).
What cream is good for pruritus? ›
Over-the-counter options like Hc45 Hydrocortisone Cream serve well for general itchiness, while Aveeno or E45 cater to dry skin.
What is a natural itch reliever? ›
Cold Press. Cold compresses, such as a cold, moist cloth or an ice pack wrapped in a towel and pressed on the affected area, can help relieve itchy skin.
Is there a pill for severe itching? ›
Hydroxyzine is used in adults and children to relieve itching caused by allergic skin reactions.
Both vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies may also cause itchy skin, so if you are experiencing chronically itchy skin, getting your level of these vitamins tested can be helpful. This testing will help determine whether these deficiencies are at the root of your skin sensitivities and itchiness.
What part of the body itches with liver problems? ›
Symptoms of itching with liver disease
Some people may itch in one area, such as a limb, the soles of their feet, or the palms of their hands, while others experience an all-over itch. Itching linked to liver disease doesn't generally involve rash or skin lesions.
What is the secondary cause of pruritus? ›
The pruritus may occur anywhere on the body, is not associated with skin lesions, and is only loosely correlated with the degree of uremia. The cause is uncertain, but theories include elevated histamine levels, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and peripheral neuropathy.
What internal diseases cause itchy skin? ›
Long-standing itch can be a sign of several diseases, including:
- Blood disease.
- Diabetes.
- Kidney disease.
- Liver disease.
- HIV.
- Overactive thyroid gland.
It may happen at any time -- before, during, or after dialysis, night and/or day. In up to half of patients, CKD-aP affects the whole body, and in that case, it usually affects both sides of the body. But it can also only affect one part of the body, usually the face, back, and the arm with a vascular access.
When should I be worried about itchy skin? ›
You should also see a doctor if your itch is so severe that it's disrupting your sleep or daily life, regardless of the length of time you've had it. Also, see a doctor if the itch affects your whole body, comes on suddenly with no explanation, or is accompanied by other symptoms.
Is pruritus an autoimmune disease? ›
Autoimmune connective tissue diseases, or ACTD, are a group of diseases having the common symptom of itching. Itching is medically known as pruritus, and autoimmune itching due to connective tissue disease is painful and can have a massive impact on a patient's life.
Which drug causes pruritus? ›
Chemotherapeutic and biological agents that can cause pruritus include:
- Chlorambucil.
- Gemcitabine.
- Nilotinib.
- Vemurafenib.
- Temsirolimus.
- Ipilimumab.
- Cetuximab.
- Rituximab.
Primary or idiopathic pruritis ani is classified by a staging system used at Washington Hospital Center, and is based on the physical features of the skin. Stage 0 is normal skin, stage 1 is red and inflamed skin, stage 2 has thickened skin, and stage 3 has thickened skin, coarse ridges, and often ulcerations.
