What is Good for Itching? What are the Treatment Methods?

Pruritus, also referred to as pruritus in the medical literature, is defined as a feeling of itching in the body (1). Itching, which negatively affects the quality of life of the person when it persists for a long time, may be caused by a simple cause such as dry skin, or it may be a symptom of a more serious health problem such as kidney disease or liver disease.

For people who suffer from itching, the constant desire to scratch can be uncomfortable. Therefore, the answer to the question “What is good for itching?” is important for people with itching problems. Itching varies for many reasons. Therefore, the answer to questions such as “What is good for itching in adults and children?”, “What is good for itching on the body?” varies according to the factor causing itching.

Itching Symptoms

The first symptom that comes to mind when it comes to itching is the urge to scratch in different parts of the body. However, scratching the skin for a long time can also cause different symptoms. Accordingly, the main symptoms that may accompany itching are as follows (1, 2):

• Redness in the itchy area,
• Cracks in the skin, through which blood and pus can flow in some cases
• Scratches on the skin due to scratching the skin with fingernails,
• Scaling and scarring of the skin in case of prolonged chronic itching,
• Dry and cracked skin,
• Skin blemishes due to itching,
• Pain in the itchy area,
• Lighter or darker skin color,
• Pimple-like blisters on the skin, also known as papules,
• Swelling in the affected area.

In addition to the above, itching can often be a symptom of another health problem. For this reason, it is important to consult a specialist doctor, especially in case of prolonged itching.

What Causes Itching?

Itching can occur for many reasons, from dry skin to food allergies or chronic health problems such as diabetes. The main causes of itching are as follows (3):

• Dry skin Dry skin, also called xerosis or xeroderma in the medical literature, can occur for many reasons, including cold or dry air, prolonged exposure to sunlight, various personal care products such as harsh soaps, low water consumption and excessive bathing. Dehydrated skin may have a harder texture and be more sensitive to environmental factors. This can cause symptoms such as itching, skin discoloration and the appearance of scratches. Those who wonder “What is good for dry itching?” often make changes in their lifestyle such as drinking plenty of water and using moisturizers can alleviate itching caused by dry skin (4).
• Food allergy In some cases, itching can also be caused by allergies. One of the main types of allergy that causes itching is food allergy. Food allergy is an immune system response that occurs when the immune system perceives foods that are normally harmless to the body, such as eggs, milk, shellfish, peanuts and soy, as harmful and defends against them. In addition to symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, food allergy may also manifest itself with itching (5).
• Fungal infections Many fungi, especially Candida, can cause infections. The main symptoms of fungal infection include symptoms such as redness and itching. One of the main causes of vaginal itching, which the vast majority of women experience at some point in their lives, is fungal infections. Vaginal yeast infections can be common in women due to reasons such as antibiotic use and changing hormone levels during pregnancy. Since it is an uncomfortable situation for women, the main answers to questions such as “What is good for vaginal itching, are there any measures that can be applied at home?” are measures such as choosing cotton clothes and taking care to keep the vaginal area dry (6).
• Diaper rash Redness and rash may appear on the skin due to the use of diapers in children who have not yet developed toilet habits. This condition may also be accompanied by itching. Since it is a disturbing problem for babies, it is important for parents to have information about “What is good for itching in babies?”. Measures such as using creams recommended by the doctor, making sure that the diaper is not too tight or changing diapers frequently can help alleviate diaper rash and symptoms such as redness and itching related to diaper rash (7).
• Allergy One of the main causes of itching is allergy. One of the main causes of the skin problem, also known as contact dermatitis, which is a type of eczema and manifests itself with symptoms such as redness and itching on the skin, is contact with personal care products such as dust, pollen and shower gel. This results in the release of histamine (a type of chemical substance) from mast cells in the skin, which are cells of the immune system. This can cause symptoms such as itching and redness. In some cases, food, drinks or certain medications consumed can also trigger an allergic reaction and cause itching. For this reason, one of the answers to the question “What is good for allergic itching?” is to avoid allergy-causing allergens (8).
• Scabies: Scabies is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. is an infectious skin disease caused by the parasite hominis. The main symptom of scabies, which can be transmitted between people through close contact or the use of common objects, is itchy rashes and blisters that appear on different parts of the body. For patients who ask “What is good for scabies itching?”, expert dermatologists may recommend some topical creams that are applied to the body. Depending on the immune system of the person or in cases of crusting, various oral medications can also be used (9).
• Pregnancy During pregnancy, the increase in blood serum levels of various chemicals, especially hormones, may cause itching during pregnancy. However, rarely, a liver disease called intrahepatic cholestasis, especially in the third trimester (last 3 months) of pregnancy, can also cause itching during pregnancy. For this reason, it is important for expectant mothers who wonder “What is good for itching during pregnancy?” to first consult their doctors and have the necessary checks done. In cases where it is not caused by another underlying health problem, methods such as choosing loose clothes, taking a warm shower, and using moisturizers can alleviate itching in pregnant women (10).
• Laser hair removal: Symptoms such as redness and itching may occur after laser hair removal, which is one of the cosmetic procedures commonly used today to get rid of unwanted hair. These are mostly temporary, but those who wonder “What is good for itching after laser?” can minimize the risk of complications such as redness and itching after laser by following the recommendations of their dermatologists or applying cold compresses (11).
• Traditional leech therapy: Used in traditional medicine to alleviate the symptoms of various health problems, leeches (a type of ringworm) are placed on the affected area. These implanted leeches secrete various chemical substances while sucking the patient’s blood. In traditional medicine, it is believed that these substances can alleviate various health problems. Complications such as infection, allergy, itching and prolonged bleeding may occur after leech treatment. According to various studies on “What is good for itching after leeching?”, dressing and applying bandages to prevent contact of the treated area with cold water and air after the procedure may reduce the risk of post-leech complications (12).
• Hair and body lice: Lice are a type of small parasite that can be transmitted from person to person. Lice nest and lay their eggs in body folds such as the armpits, genital area or in the hair follicles. Itching is one of the main symptoms of head lice. Especially in school-age children, parents wondering “What is good for itching due to lice and what can be done at home?” can consult a doctor and get information about creams, lotions and gels that can be applied to the area with lice (13).
• Stress Although stress is often thought of as a psychological response, there can be some chemical changes in the body when under stress. As a result, symptoms such as headache and stomach pain may occur, as well as skin rashes and itching. For those who wonder “What is good for stress-induced itching?”, experts may recommend doing activities that can help reduce stress, such as regular exercise and taking up a hobby (14).

In addition to the above, itching can sometimes occur due to more serious health problems such as liver failure, obstruction in the bile ducts and kidney diseases. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist physician immediately, especially in case of chronic itching (3).

Itching Treatment

The treatment for itching varies depending on the factor causing the itching. For this reason, the answers to the question “What is good for vaginal itching?” and “What is good for allergic itching?” are different. Patients who apply to specialists with the complaint of itching are first evaluated in detail by a specialist doctor. If this assessment does not reveal any serious underlying health problems, specialists may recommend medication that can help relieve allergic symptoms or help reduce pain and swelling. In addition, some topically applied creams and lotions may also help relieve itching (2).