Pruritus
What is itching?
Itching is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin. Sometimes it can feel like pain, but it is different. Often, you feel itchy in one area in your body, but sometimes you may feel itching all over. Along with the itching, you may also have a rash or hives.
What causes itching?Itching is a symptom of many health conditions. Some common causes are:
- Allergic reactions to food, insect bites, pollen, and medicines
- Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin
- Irritating chemicals, cosmetics, and other substances
- Parasites such as pinworms, scabies, head and body lice
- Pregnancy
- Liver, kidney, or thyroid diseases
- Certain cancers or cancer treatments
- Diseases that can affect the nervous system, such as diabetes and shingles
Most itching is not serious. To feel better, you could try:
- Applying cold compresses
- Using moisturizing lotions
- Taking lukewarm or oatmeal baths
- Using over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines
- Avoiding scratching, wearing irritating fabrics, and exposure to high heat and humidity
Contact your health care provider if your itching is severe, does not go away after a few weeks, or does not have an apparent cause. You may need other treatments, such as medicines or light therapy. If you have an underlying disease that is causing the itching, treating that disease may help.
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Pruritus
PRURITUS
In absence of local cause, general Pruritus calls for tonic treat ment, particularly for use of arsenic. Give attention to stomach, bowels and kidneys.' The local remedies that give most relief are lotions of borax or of sodium bicarbonate or hyposulphite to which carbolic acid may be advantageously added (one or two drachms to the pint). Menthol. resorcin, thymol. boric acid and ichthyol are also useful. Alkal Antiseptine, diluted with from four to eight parts of water is an excellent remedy.1
In absence of local cause, general Pruritus calls for tonic treat ment, particularly for use of arsenic. Give attention to stomach, bowels and kidneys.' The local remedies that give most relief are lotions of borax or of sodium bicarbonate or hyposulphite to which carbolic acid may be advantageously added (one or two drachms to the pint). Menthol. resorcin, thymol. boric acid and ichthyol are also useful. Alkal Antiseptine, diluted with from four to eight parts of water is an excellent remedy.1
References
1) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.