 |
 |
 |
Other Health Topics:
-
Related Topics
-
Go Local
- Services and providers for Itching in the U.S.
-
National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Itching is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Itching
Also called: Pruritus
Itching is skin tingling or irritation that makes you want to scratch the itchy area. It's a symptom of many health conditions. Common causes are
- Allergic reactions
- Eczema
- Dry skin
- Insect bites and stings
- Irritating chemicals
- Parasites such as pinworms, scabies and head lice
- Pregnancy
- Rashes
- Reactions to medicines
To soothe itchy skin, you can try cold compresses, lotions and lukewarm baths. Avoid scratching, wearing irritating fabrics and high heat and humidity. Most itching is not serious. However, if you itch all over, have hives that keep coming back or have itching without an apparent cause, you might require medical attention.
Start Here
- Pruritus(American Academy of Dermatology)
| Basics | Learn More | Multimedia & Cool Tools |
|---|---|---|
|
||
| Research | Reference Shelf | For You |
-
Overviews
- Itching(Merck & Co., Inc.)
-
Specific Conditions
- Anal Itching(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Dry Skin (Xerosis)(Logical Images)
- Itchy Hands or Feet(Logical Images)
- Lichen Simplex Chronicus(Logical Images)
-
Pruritus (PDQ)
(National Cancer Institute)
Also available in Spanish
- Rashes: The Itchy Truth(Nemours Foundation)
- Skin Problems: Dry, Itchy Skin(American Academy of Family Physicians)
-
Related Issues
- Notalgia Paresthetica(Logical Images)
-
Anatomy/Physiology
- Atlas of the Body: The Skin(American Medical Association)
-
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Pruritus(National Institutes of Health)
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Pruritus
-
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: What causes itch in atopic dermatitis?
- Article: What is your call?: pruritic, serpiginous eruption in a returning...
- Article: Idiopathic pruritus in psychiatric inpatients: an explorative study.
- Itching -- see more articles
- Medical Encyclopedia Return to top
-
Directories
- Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology)
-
Organizations
- American Academy of Dermatology
-
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Also available in Spanish
-
Children
- Itchy Bumps in Children(Logical Images)
| Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
| Disclaimers | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Date last updated: 26 June 2008 Topic last reviewed: 09 April 2008 |