Itching Summary 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, head and body 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. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Find an Expert American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Dermatology Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Specifics Anal Itching Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Dry Skin (Xerosis) Logical Images Grover’s Disease American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Itchy Hands or Feet Logical Images Lichen Simplex Chronicus Logical Images Neurodermatitis American Academy of Dermatology Notalgia Paresthetica Logical Images Prurigo Nodularis American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Pruritus National Institutes of Health Related Issues Don’t Swallow Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel: Use on Skin Food and Drug Administration Rashes: The Itchy Truth Nemours Foundation Scratching the Surface on Skin Allergies American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Statistics and Research Investigating the Causes of Chronic Itch: New Advances Could Bring Relief National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Untangling the Source of Ouch and Itch National Institute of General Medical Sciences Health Check Tools Itching DSHI Systems Itching (Scalp) DSHI Systems Vaginal Itching DSHI Systems Array Itching Lichen simplex chronicus Urticaria pigmentosa Children Itchy Bumps on the Skin in Children Logical Images Start Here Itchy Skin (Pruritus) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Pruritis American Academy of Family Physicians What Makes Us Itch? American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Journal Articles Itching
