Itch is an irritation in the skin that elicits an urge to scratch. Itches are a common problem and can be localized (limited to one area of the body) or generalized (occurring all over the body or in several different areas). The medical term for itching is pruritus. Generalized itch, for obvious reasons, is more difficult to treat than localized itch. Itches can also occur with or without skin lesions (for example, bumps or blisters). An itch that is accompanied by visible skin abnormality usually should be evaluated by a physician and, in some cases, by a dermatologist since the problem is likely to be a condition that requires specialized medical treatment.



For very dry hands, try this for a night: Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and wear thin cotton gloves to bed. (Dry feet may benefit from similar treatment.)

Bath with a little peppermint or yellow dock. It is an effective remedy to get rid of itching.

First, try not to scratch; the less damaging remedy for you can be rubbing in some soothing cream. The most appropriate creams are those containing camphor or menthol. For some time you should avoid wool against your skin till itching is gone. Remember that skin itching becomes more annoying when you are warm. So, don't overdress, try to keep cool. Many doctors advice taking cool shower or just applying cool compress on the affected body area.

For itching of any cause, bathing should be kept brief and preferably in cool or lukewarm water with very little or no soap. The skin should be patted dry gently rather than rubbed vigorously. Many people with itching benefit from an over-the-counter moisturizing cream applied right after bathing. The moisturizer should be odorless and colorless, because additives that provide color or scent may irritate the skin and may even cause itching.

To avoid the urge to scratch, a person can apply a cooling or soothing lotion or cold compress when the urge to scratch occurs. Soaps are often irritating to the skin, and can make an itch worse; they should be avoided, or used only when necessary.

If you have itching in less accessible or hairy areas such as the scalp, you can be prescribed lotions (e.g. active ingredient/steroid, in a liquid or gel preparation) specifically for these areas rather than using sticky creams.

If you have a large area of skin that itches, as with sunburn or a bad case of poison ivy, an oatmeal or baking soda bath may prove effective. Just add one-two cups of oatmeal and/or a cup of baking soda to a warm bath and soak. You can purchase oatmeal that has been ground to a fine powder specifically for bathing, or just use the oatmeal you may have already on hand. If the thought of oatmeal floating around you in the water seems messy to you, make a giant 'teabag' of oatmeal tied up in a square of cheesecloth. Use the 'teabag' as a loofah to gently scrub your affected skin. Don't scrub your skin with the towel when done, or you will start itching all over again - pat yourself dry and then wear loose clothing that won't be so likely to further irritate your skin.