Itching - Overview

Alternative Names

Pruritus

Definition of Itching:

Itching is a tingling or irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the affected area.

Considerations:

Itching may occur all over the whole body (generalized) or only in one location (localized).

Common Causes:

There are many causes of itching, including:

Aging skin
Atopic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis (poison ivy or poison oak)
Contact irritants (such as soaps, chemicals, or wool)
Dry skin
Hives
Insect bites and stings
Parasites such as pinworm, body lice, head lice, and pubic lice
Pityriasis rosea
Psoriasis
Rashes (may or may not itch)
Seborrheic dermatitis
Sunburn
Superficial skin infections such as folliculitis and impetigo

Click here to see a video about hives.

Generalized itching may be caused by:

Allergic reactions
Childhood infections (such as chickenpox or measles)
Hepatitis
Iron deficiency anemia
Kidney disease
Liver disease with jaundice
Pregnancy
Reactions to medications and substances such as antibiotics (penicillin, sulfonamides), gold, griseofulvin, isoniazid, opiates, phenothiazines, or vitamin A

Head lice

Allergic reactions

Skin layers

Reviewed last on: 7/23/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Taylor JS, Zirwas MJ, Sood A. Pruritus. In: Carey WD, ed. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine 2009. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 42.

Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

Connect with UMMC

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Related Content