Māngeongeo Itching (pruritis)

There are many possible causes of itching, including:

• dry skin
• skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
• fungal skin infections
• an allergic reaction and hives
• a health condition such as anaemia, liver disease, chronic kidney disease or thyroid disorders
• hormonal changes that happen in pregnancy or menopause
• the side effect of medicines, such as opioids or some antibiotics.

Sometimes the exact cause of itching cannot be found.

Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about the itching. These will include whether you have any other symptoms and any allergies.

They will also examine you and check your skin to see if you have a rash.

You may need to have tests done, depending on what your healthcare provider thinks is causing your itching. These may include:

• blood tests such as a full blood count, renal function tests or liver function tests
• imaging tests such as a chest x-ray or abdominal ultrasound
• a skin swab or biopsy (taking a sample of skin to look at under a microscope).

The treatment depends on the cause of your itching. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines or treatment to relieve the itching, including:

• moisturisers (emollients) to keep your skin moist
• topical corticosteroids (external link)
• oral steroids
• antihistamines (external link)
• amitriptyline (external link)
• gabapentin (external link)
• phototherapy
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (external link) to break the itch-scratch cycle.

Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a specialist skin doctor (a dermatologist) if your symptoms are not relieved by these medicines or you have complications.

In severe cases, itching can cause sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression. Talk to your healthcare provider if your itching is causing you serious distress. 

There are some self-care measures that you can do to help relieve and prevent itching.

• If you have dry skin, use moisturisers often. You can keep these in the fridge for an extra cooling treatment.
• Avoid using skin irritants such as soaps or foaming body washes. Your healthcare provider can prescribe soap substitutes to clean your skin.
• Heat will make the itching worse. Keep yourself cool, especially at night.
• Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack in a towel to the affected area to soothe the itch.
• Wear loose cotton clothing. Avoid fabrics like wool, which can irritate your skin.
• Make sure the water is not too hot in your shower or bath. Bathe quickly in cool or tepid water no more than once a day. Do not rub or use the towel to scratch yourself — just gently pat yourself dry.
• Scratching makes itching worse. Try not to scratch your skin when you feel itchy and avoid situations that make you want to scratch.
• Keep your nails clean and short to reduce the skin damage caused by scratching.
• Wear cotton gloves at night to reduce scratching in your sleep.