Itching

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Allergic reactions

Head lice

Skin layers

Pruritus

For persistent or severe itching, see your health care provider for a precise diagnosis and specific treatment instructions.

In the meantime, you can take some steps to help deal with the itch:

• Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas. Keep fingernails short to avoid skin damage from scratching. Family members or friends may be able to help by calling attention to your scratching.
• Wear cool, light, loose bedclothes. Avoid wearing rough clothing, particularly wool, over an itchy area.
• Take lukewarm baths using little soap and rinsing thoroughly. Try a skin-soothing oatmeal or cornstarch bath.
• Apply a soothing lotion after bathing to soften and cool the skin.
• Use moisturizer on the skin, particularly in the dry winter months. Dry skin is a common cause of itching.
• Apply cold compresses to an itchy area.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity.
• Take part in activities that distract from the itching during the day and make you tired enough to sleep at night.
• Try over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), but be aware of possible side effects such as drowsiness.
• Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on localized itchy areas.

Call your provider if itching is associated with other unexplained symptoms, is severe, prolonged, or cannot be easily explained.

Most itching does not require medical evaluation. Try to rule out the obvious causes of itching.

It is sometimes easy for a parent to discern the cause of a child's itching. Usually a simple visual examination will help you identify any bites, stings, rashes, dry skin, or irritation. Often the cause of itching is fairly obvious, such as a mosquito bite.

Recurrent itching without obvious cause, total body itching, and recurrent hives are all indications that the itching should be evaluated as soon as possible. Such itching may be a symptom of an underlying disease or possibly serious condition.