Itching is something that no one enjoys, and yet it’s something that all people encounter from time to time. There are literally hundreds of different things that can cause itching, all the way from being too hot in the shower to full-blown skin disorders. Itch or pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation that evokes the desire or reflex to scratch. Pruritic stimuli mostly create the same reactions as noxious stimuli in experimental animals, but humans are capable of discerning the distinct features of itch and pain. Therefore, human studies have provided most of the information regarding the processing of pruritic stimuli.
Itch has many similarities to pain and both are unpleasant sensory experiences but their behavioral response patterns are different. Pain creates a reflex withdrawal, while itch leads to a scratch reflex. Unmyelinated nerve fibers for itch and pain both originate in the skin; however, information for them is conveyed centrally in two distinct systems that both use the same peripheral nerve bundle and spinothalamic tract.
Treatment of Pruritus
A variety of over-the-counter and prescription anti-itch drugs are available. Some plant products have been found to be effective anti-pruritics, others not. Non-chemical remedies include cooling, warming and soft stimulation. Sometimes scratching relieves isolated itches, hence the existence of devices such as the back scratcher.
Often, however, scratching can intensify itching and even cause further damage to the skin, dubbed the “itch-scratch-itch cycle”. As such, the mainstay of therapy for dry or sensitive skin is maintaining adequate skin moisture and topical emollients.
Common antipruritics
Topical antipruritics in the form of creams and sprays are often available over-the-counter. Oral anti-itch drugs also exist and are usually prescription drugs. The active ingredients usually belong to the following classes:
- Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Because some household products and personal effects can often cause itching, especially if you’re allergic to them, antihistamines are recommended in getting rid of these types of itches. Detergents, soap, clothing fibers, makeup and other cosmetics are the most common suspects for allergens.
- Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone topical cream.
- Local anesthetics such as benzocaine topical cream (Lanacaine).
- Counterirritants such as mint oil, menthol or camphor numb the nerve endings on your skin, which deadens your skin to the itching.
- Calamine lotion, containing zinc oxide and iron (III) oxide, is a traditional remedy for mild itching, such as that typically associated with chicken pox.
- Pulsation stick, generating small pulses (or “clicks”) that reduce the itching. They generally use small dry cells that last fairly long (up to 4000 clicks).
Disputed and questionable antipruritics
- Burow’s solution (aluminum acetate).
- Olive oil.
- Jewelweed has been shown to be devoid of any anti-itch activity in several controlled studies.
- Anti-static sprays can get rid of static electricity that increases the attraction of tiny, charged particles to your exposed skin. It’s alleged that static electricity can make your body hair move, giving you the sensation of things “crawling” on them, which in turn causes you to feel itchy.
- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) comprise a class of medicines commonly used for depression, and are also said to be effective in controlling pruritus in a small number of refractory cases.
Home Remedies
- First, treat the itch according to the cause. Depending on the cause, methods of treatment may vary. The feeling of itchiness can be caused by a movement of hair or the release of a chemical (histamine) from cells under the skin. Itchiness is regarded as protective, as it helps creatures remove parasites that land on their skin.
- Slightly painful stimulation like rubbing, slapping or scratching—based on a spinal antagonism between pain- and itch-processing neurons—is the classic method of relieving itch. Use it with prudence and moderation.
- On that note, it’s not often advisable to scratch every itch, as sometimes, excessive scratching can leave you with irritated skin that can still be itchy. Too much scratching can also cause your skin to break, leaving it wide open for infections.
- How hot is your shower? Do you know that hot water zaps your skin, causing it to itch? Cool it off a bit. If the mirrors are all steamed, then it’s really hot.
- How much perfume is in your soap and lotions? This also causes the skin to dry out. Dry skin is a major factor to pruritus—in particular, it causes athlete’s foot, which is another major problem itch.
- What about athlete’s foot? It’s a yeast infection that, more often than not, can be avoided by proper diet. The stuff you eat does affect you. By cutting back on sugar, preservatives and junk food, your athlete’s foot should disappear eventually.
- Most insect-related itches go away on their own after an application of soothing balms or ointments. For those that show no signs of letting up and are accompanied by boils or wounds, a visit to the dermatologist or physician is recommended.
- Vinegar rinses (with thyme for controlling dandruff) helps take care of head itch. Boil water in a pan and put some thyme in it—a few handfuls—bring the concoction to a boil and then let cool. Strain contents through a sieve. Put liquid in a shampoo bottle with three tablespoons raw cider vinegar. Apply on hair. Keep solution in the fridge when not in use.
- Garlic is a common edible that seems to have powers to destroy free radicals in the blood while warding off all kinds of microorganisms and fungi, including those that cause athlete’s foot and jock itch.
- Coating the skin with petroleum jelly and a thick coat of baby powder should eliminate the itching. Yes, you’ll look like a ghost, but it’ll protect the skin from the air and relieves the itch immediately. This is a quick fix for a severe itch, but sometimes quick relief is what you need to keep you from going insane with the itch.
- You can use antidandruff shampoo on the infected skin.
- Cooling with ice or cold water usually stops the itch for as long as the ice or cold water is applied. The nerve fibers that cause you to itch also cause you to feel cold sensations. Therefore, using cold applications on the area affected by the itch can “jam the circuits,” deadening it. There are several ways for you to apply cold application. You can apply a cold compress on the affected area, take a cool shower or just run cold water over your skin for several minutes.
- Standing in a hot shower can alleviate an itch without you actually scratching your skin raw. In fact, certain rashes can be temporarily cured by hot water as well. Hot water helps prevent the rash from spreading, and the effect of balmy steam on the pores should result in the rash clearing up faster than normal.
- A change in your environment may stop the itching, especially if the itch is caused by things around you. For example, fumigating your place can get rid of small insects like lice or fleas. Regular cleaning will also take care of any irritants that may cause you to itch, like dusts and small particles.
- For health-related itches, it’s strongly recommended that you check with your physician. Itching can be a common symptom to some underlying, grievous condition like diabetes, thyroid or liver disease and shingles.
- Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal that can be applied to the infected skin. Some people say applying honey and garlic alternately to the affected area will clear it up. Others advise applying diluted vinegar and coconut oil. If you use a powder to keep your groin dry, avoid any that have a cornstarch base. Cornstarch only encourages the fungi.
- Once it’s cleared up, keep itch from coming back again by bathing or showering regularly, wearing clothing appropriate to the weather, treating promptly any outbreaks of itch-related diseases, changing underwear frequently, avoiding tight-fitting clothing and laundering any clothing you buy at a thrift store or lawn sale before you wear it. Like your mother always told you, you don’t know where it’s been.
Although most forms of itching is fairly harmless overall, there are some that are signs of a more serous infection or disorder. Prolonged itching usually means that there’s a more serious underlying condition, so if you experience itching that persists for weeks, go see a physician or dermatologist for professional diagnosis. Indeed, an itch to scratch may well save your life.
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