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What Can I Take For Itchy Skin

Treatment Of An Allergic Reaction

How to relieve itchy skin

Anaphylactic reactions aside, many allergic reactions on your face can be treated after a quick consultation with a doctor.

In some cases, taking an over-the-counter antihistamine or applying a topical corticosteroid can help your body stop reacting to the allergen within a short period of time.

OTC antihistamines for allergies include:

What Is The Prognosis For Itching

Itching itself is not associated with long-term skin problems or harm, and most cases of itch are temporary and resolve on their own or with topical or oral treatments. Itching that is associated with a serious condition may persist if the condition worsens or it may be managed with medications.

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What Are The Symptoms

NP causes an itch just below your shoulder blade. The itching can be mild, or it can be so severe that it makes you want to rub your back against a post or wall. Scratching might feel good, but it wont always relieve the itch.

You may feel the itching on either one or both sides of your back. The itch can also spread to your shoulders and chest.

Along with itching, NP can sometimes cause these symptoms in the upper back:

NP usually has no visible symptoms. However, repeatedly scratching the itch can cause patches of darker-colored skin to appear in the affected area.

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Switch To Gentle Cleansers

Switching to gentle cleansers, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners may also help to alleviate and prevent itchy and uncomfortable skin.

When it comes to soap and lotions, choose products that are water-based and fragrance free. Fragrance free detergents that are designed for sensitive skin may also help.

When To See A Doctor

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People who have a chronic illness, such as kidney or liver disease, and experience intense skin itching should see a doctor. This symptom could indicate that their condition is not well controlled.

A person with an itchy chest should also see a doctor if they have the following signs and symptoms:

  • an orange peel-like appearance to the chest skin or other breast changes, including new lumps and nipple discharge
  • severe peeling of the skin
  • sudden redness or inflammation on the skin
  • unplanned weight loss or gain
  • night sweats, fever, and chills

If a persons symptoms do not improve with at-home treatments, they should talk to their doctor about potential underlying causes.

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What Are The Best Antihistamine Creams

Antihistamine creams are a particularly popular choice for people struggling with itchy skin. If you have rashes, hives, or even bug bites, antihistamine creams can provide a lot of relief.

Every brand of antihistamine cream is a little bit different. Read on to learn more about the different options for this medication. And be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any new topical creams.

Ways To Describe Your Itching

Your health care team may ask you to describe the intensity and impact of your itch:

  • To describe intensity, or how strong the itch is, adults are usually asked to rate the itching on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no itch and 10 is worst itch imaginable. Children are often asked to use the Burn Man Itch Scale to describe their itch .
  • To describe how itching may be affecting your life, your health care team may use the 5-D Itch Scale. This is a set of questions that asks you about the

You can also use the questions in the 5-D Itch Scale to initiate conversations with your health care providers.

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How To Prevent Itching

The following measures can help in preventing itching:

  • Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing.
  • Use a humidifier to keep your surroundings humid and prevent your skin from drying and turning itchy.
  • Keep your nails trimmed.
  • Keep your stress levels under control.
  • Limit or avoid intake of caffeine and alcohol.
  • Drink lots of water and keep yourself well hydrated.
  • Keep your skin moisturized â use a good moisturizer.
  • Check for allergic reactions to certain foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, mushrooms, etc., and avoid them.
  • Change out potentially chemically harmful household products such as: laundry detergent/softener, dryer sheets, shampoo, soap, lotion etcâ¦to more natural, chemical, and fragrance-free products.

In some cases, the itching can become intense and last for a long time. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you must consult your dermatologist immediately.

What Types Of Health Care Specialists Treat Itching

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Because the causes of pruritic skin are so varied, many different medical practitioners can be involved in treating itching. Itching is commonly treated by specialists in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or dermatology. Itching related to allergy may be treated by an allergist or immunologist. Itching related to STDs may be managed by a gynecologist or urologist. An obstetrician-gynecologist may treat women suffering from itching during pregnancy or vaginitis. People with itching due to chronic diseases may be treated by the specialists who manage these conditions, such as endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, oncologists, hematologists, neurologists, and infectious-disease specialists. Some causes of itching are treated by emergency-medicine specialists.

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What Remedies Should You Avoid

There are some remedies that may seem like a good idea but should be avoided in favor of any of the remedies listed above.

Moisturizers with fragrances

As Dr. Khetarpal pointed out, fragrances and dyes in moisturizers can cause more irritation for some than soothing those dry, itchy patches.

Aloe vera

While aloe vera can be soothing for sunburns, you shouldnt rely on it for dry, itchy skin. It generally has fragrances and preservatives for a longer shelf life that can cause more trouble, says Dr. Khetarpal. And theres not a lot of scientific data that shows it actually helps itchy skin. Its more for temporary relief for sunburns.

Apple cider vinegar

While you may come across apple cider vinegar as a potential home remedy in web searches, its one to avoid, says Dr. Khetarpal. Vinegar is acidic and can actually make things a lot worse

How Is Itchy Skin Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms. Tell your provider if you have recently tried any new foods, creams, or cosmetics. Your provider may ask if you have traveled, or been around people or animals that are sick or scratching. Your provider will examine your skin, abdomen, and lymph nodes. You may also need blood tests or skin samples to check for an infection or other possible causes of itchy skin.

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Does Notalgia Paresthetica Go Away

NP can last for months or years. While it may completely subside in some cases, this doesnt happen for everyone. It may also appear to go away before coming back again later.

No single treatment works for all cases of NP. Still, a doctor can likely find a treatment option or combination of treatments thats effective for your symptoms.

How Is Pruritus Treated

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Finding the cause of the itching and treating any underlying skin disease is the first step in solving pruritus.

If a drug reaction is suspected, switching to a different medication may be helpful to reduce the itching. However, most drug reactions have a rash along with itching.

The best way to prevent pruritus is to take care of your skin. To protect skin:

  • Use skin creams and lotions that moisturize your skin and prevent dryness.
  • Use sunscreens regularly to prevent sunburns and skin damage.
  • Use mild bath soap that won’t irritate your skin.
  • Take a bath or shower in warm — not hot — water.
  • Avoid certain fabrics, such as wool and synthetics, that can make skin itch. Switch to cotton clothing and bed sheets.
  • Since warm, dry air can make skin dry, keep the thermostat in your house down and use a humidifier.
  • To relieve itching, place a cool washcloth or some ice over the area that itches, rather than scratching.

Your doctor may also prescribe medication to treat pruritus, including antihistamines and topical steroids. Rarely, steroid pills and antibiotics may also be needed.

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Should People Scratch The Itch

Itching usually prompts scratching, which can sometimes lead to a vicious itch-scratch cycle. Scratching can initially feel satisfying, but prolonged scratching just leaves you with irritated skin that can still itch and often worsens the itching itself. Since scratching provides only temporary relief and doesn’t promote healing of the underlying problem, it is best to avoid scratching if at all possible. If scratching breaks open the skin, bacterial infection can set in. This is known as a secondary infection. And if scratching continues for many months or years, the area that is scratched may develop thickened skin or pigmentation that darkens the area.

The best way to allow irritated skin to heal is to stop scratching it. However, willpower often is not enough since the urge to scratch can be compelling. The following sections discuss some general measures and home remedies to help to stop scratching and control itch, regardless of the cause.

What Antihistamines Do You Use For Itchy Skin

Imagine that you sit down to eat a steaming hot bowl of soup. You scoop a generous spoonful of liquid into your mouth. It tastes so good until you taste something horrifyingly familiar.

Oh no! Is that something youre allergic to? Within a few minutes, your skin has grown swollen and itchy.

If that scenario sounds familiar, you may be one of the ten million Americans diagnosed with skin allergies every year. You may be grappling with questions. Can you treat your allergies? Will a cream make your allergies go away?

To help answer these questions, we have put together a full guide to dealing with your allergies. Below you will find a list of the best antihistamines for itchy skin that can help relieve your allergy symptoms.

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When To See A Healthcare Professional

In most cases, itchy skin is not serious and can be managed at home.

But if your itching is severe, doesnt go away after three weeks, or doesnt have an apparent or identifiable cause, reach out to your provider for help.

Additional symptoms that warrant more immediate medical attention are:

  • Itchy or uncomfortable skin that makes it difficult to sleep
  • Severe skin pain

How Soon After Treatment Will I Feel Better

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The length of time youll have pruritus depends on the cause of your itchy skin. Some diagnoses are long term and youll experience symptoms that come and go throughout your life. For others, your condition could be a temporary irritant that could go away within a couple of days. Talk to your provider about your diagnosis, the cause and how to treat your symptoms to help you feel better faster.

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What Is Notalgia Paresthetica

Notalgia paresthetica is a nerve disorder that causes intense and sometimes painful itching in your back that can impact your quality of life. It usually affects the area below one of your shoulder blades, but the itch can spread to your shoulders and chest.

A recent of cases of chronic pruritis.

Chronic pruritis is a kind of persisting itchy skin. It affects of the population at some point in their lives.

The name notalgia paresthetica comes from the Greek words notos and algia .

What Are Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a type of medication that you can take in order to prevent allergic reactions. You can also take itchy skin antihistamines to treat your symptoms.

This type of medication works by stopping the effects of a chemical called histamine. People with allergies produce large quantities of histamines when they are exposed to allergens.

Histamines can cause you to have a number of uncomfortable allergy symptoms, like a runny nose, watery eyes, and itchy skin.

Because these symptoms are so uncomfortable, people take antihistamines for relief. Antihistamines counteract the chemicals inside your body so that you wont develop an intense allergic reaction.

While this medication can help relieve your symptoms, it unfortunately will not cure your allergies on a permanent level.

Antihistamine medication comes in different forms, including creams, gels, and pills.

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What Causes Itching

Itching can be more than a small annoyance. It can cause a lot of discomfort and may even become a distraction. You may be wondering when itching is serious and how you can cure your itchiness at home.

Your skin can itch for a variety of reasons. For example, you may have touched a certain type of plant, like ragweed or poison ivy. Psoriasis and eczema are two types of skin issues that can cause dry skin and itching. Illness, an insect bite, or healing from a burn or cut can also cause you to feel itchy.

Read on to learn about the best remedies for itchy skin and when its time to see your doctor.

What Is An Itch

Learn what exactly itchy skin is. Read about the common causes and best ...

Itch is an irritation in the skin that elicits an urge to scratch. Itchiness is a problem that everyone experiences, and the symptom can be localized or generalized . Sometimes, depending upon the underlying cause, itching may be worse at night. In medical terminology, itching is known as pruritus.

Generalized itch that occurs all over the body is often more difficult to treat than localized itch. Itches can also occur with or without skin lesions . An itch that is accompanied by a visible skin abnormality should be evaluated by a physician and, in some cases, by a dermatologist since the problem is likely to be a condition that requires specialized medical treatment .

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What Is Itchy Skin

Itchy skin, also known as pruritis, is a common irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the itchy area. It can occur anywhere on the body and can be very frustrating and uncomfortable.

Itching may occur on a small part of the body, for example around the area of an insect bite, or it can affect the whole body such as an allergic reaction.

Itchy skin is usually not serious. But sometimes it can be caused by a serious medical condition.

Moisturize Throughout The Day

Moisturizing consistently throughout the day can help to prevent your skin from drying out, which will also help your skin from feeling itchy.

If your skin is sensitive, be sure to use a moisturizer designed for sensitive skin .

Moisturizing after a shower or bath is also important, as your pores are more open and more receptive to moisturizer at this time.

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What Causes Itchy Skin

  • Dry skin, or skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis
  • A reaction to a new medicine or food
  • Medical conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes
  • Viral infections such as mumps or varicella
  • Cancer or cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy
  • Bug bites or other problems with your skin

Allegra 24 Hour Allergy Relief

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Some allergies are more severe than others. If you are experiencing hives, as opposed to rashes, you may want to ask your doctor about taking an oral anti-histamine.

Allegra is one example of an oral drug that provides fast relief to allergy symptoms. Unlike other antihistamines, this one lasts for 24 hours. This means that you wont have to stop your life to take more pills every few hours.

It is also considered a non-drowsy antihistamine. As a result, you wont have to worry about any of those embarrassing antihistamine episodes, like falling asleep at work.

Allegra treats most common allergy symptoms. And if you suffer from hay fever or rhinitis, you can use Allegra to treat those conditions as well.

Anyone between the ages of 12 and 65 can use Allegra. Simply swallow on 180 mg pill every 24 hours. Be sure to take the medication with water.

Do not take Allegra if you are over 65 years old and have not consulted with a doctor. Do not take Allegra if you have kidney disease and have not consulted with a doctor.

Do not take Allegra if you are allergic to the drug. Do not take Allegra with magnesium or aluminum supplements. Do not take Allegra with fruit juice.

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When Should I See My Doctor Because Of Itchy Skin

Dry, irritated skin is more likely to get infected. Infected skin is red, warm, and swollen, and it may ooze fluid. You may need antibiotics to get rid of this kind of infection.

Severe itching, especially in older adults, sometimes is caused by a serious medical problem. Call your doctor if you are an older person with severe itching that doesn’t get better within two weeks and that does not have an obvious cause.

If you have a bad case of poison ivy or a sudden itchy rash, your doctor may be able to prescribe a medicine to help you.

Whats The Outlook For People With Eczema Who Use Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone is often one of the first treatments that people with eczema use to manage flare-ups. For many people, hydrocortisone is effective and relieves symptoms. However, it isnt meant for daily use. Instead, a large part of managing eczema is preventing flare-ups from happening in the first place.

Its not possible to prevent all flare-ups, but you can reduce them by learning to identify your eczema triggers and by keeping your skin clean and moisturized.

Your doctor might prescribe different medications if your flare-ups are severe or dont respond to hydrocortisone. They can include other topical medications, oral steroids, and immune-suppressing medications, immune-suppressing injections, and phototherapy.

The right option for you will depend on how severe your eczema is and how your body responds to various treatments.

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