Itching

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Allergic reactions

Head lice

Skin layers

Itching is a tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the affected area.

Pruritus

Itching may occur all over the whole body (generalized) or only in a specific location (localized).

There are many causes of itching. The following may cause localized or generalized itching:

• Insect bites and stings
• Sunburn
• Hives
• Parasites such as pinworm (Also see:body lice, head lice, pubic lice)
• Dry skin
• Aging skin
• Contact dermatitis (poison ivy or poison oak)
• Contact irritants (such as soaps, chemicals, or wool)
• Atopic dermatitis
• Rashes (may or may not itch)
• Superficial skin infections such as folliculitis and impetigo
• Pityriasis rosea
• Psoriasis
• Seborrheic dermatitis

Generalized itching may be caused by:

• Childhood infections (such as chicken pox or measles)
• Allergic reactions
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease with jaundice
• Reactions to medications and substances such as antibiotics (penicillin, sulfonamides), gold, griseofulvin, isoniazid, opiates, phenothiazines, or vitamin A
• Pregnancy
• Hepatitis
• Iron deficiency anemia

Review Date: 07/21/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.