Itching

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Allergic reactions

Head lice

Skin layers

Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting itching may include the following:

• How long have you had this itch?
• Does it itch all the time?
• Does it seem to get worse, and has it spread?
• What do you think caused this itch?
• Have you ever had this kind of itch before? What caused it then?
• Do you recall any irritant that you recently came in contact with?
• Do you have any allergies or sensitivities?
• What medications are you taking?
• Have you started using any new products recently? What was it?
• Have you used any new soaps, fabric softeners, perfumes, deodorants, fabrics such as wool, or chemicals?
• Have you been around animals?
• Have you eaten shellfish or nuts recently?
• Have you had insect bites recently?
• Do you use lotions on your skin?
• Have you been in the sun recently?
• What part of your body itches?
• Is it all over your body (generalized itch)?
• Is the itch limited to a specific area? What area?
• What does the skin that itches look like?
• Is there a rash? If so, are there blisters or scales?
• Are you being treated for other medical conditions?
• What other symptoms do you have?

If there is no localized infection or skin lesion, diagnostic studies such as blood tests, skin biopsies, or x-rays will focus on finding a systemic (whole body) cause.

Prescribed medications may include topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, or tranquilizers.

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.