Pruritus
The best treatment for itching depends on the cause. You may be able to relieve itching and reduce the risk of skin damage caused by scratching with some simple self-help measures.
If necessary, your GP or pharmacist can offer treatments that may help relieve an itch.
Some lotions, creams and medications available over the counter from pharmacies or on a prescription from your GP can help reduce itchiness.
Common treatments recommended include:
Some antihistamine tablets can make you feel drowsy. This may be helpful if taken at night to help you sleep, but it's important not to drive, use power tools or operate heavy machineryafter taking them.
If you have itching in hairy are aslike your scalp, lotions are available specifically for these areas so you don't have to use sticky creams.
There are also some more powerful medications, such as antidepressants , which may be recommended if the above treatments don't help and your itch is particularly long-lasting.
Itching (pruritus) is an unpleasant sensation that compels a person to scratch the affected area. Itchy skin is usually just an annoying but temporary problem, and rarely indicates a serious underlying cause.
An itch is often caused by a condition affecting the skin, but it can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. In some cases, it may not be possible to identify a specific cause. Itching is sometimes caused by an allergen, irritant or another environmental factors.
The best treatment for itching depends on the cause. Some lotions, creams and medications available over the counter from pharmacies or on a prescription from your GP can help reduce itchiness.