User:Mr. Ibrahem/Itch
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Itch, also known as pruritus, is a sensation that results in the desire to scratch.[1] Quality of life may be negatively affected.[2] A long term itch may result thickening of the affected skin from scratching, poor sleep, and tiredness.[2]
Itch | |
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Other names | Pruritus, automatic tickle |
A man scratching his back | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Symptoms | Sensation that results in the desire to scratch[1] |
Complications | Thickening of the affected skin from scratching, poor sleep[2] |
Types | Localized, generalized[2] |
Causes | Dry skin, eczema, cirrhosis, blood disorders, infections, reactions to medications, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, cancer, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use[2] |
Treatment | Moisturizers, lower temperature environment, not scratching, avoiding irritants[2] |
Medication | Corticosteroids, antihistamines, capsaicin[2] |
Frequency | Relatively common[2] |
The common causes when much of the body is involved is dry skin and eczema.[2] A range of other conditions such as cirrhosis, blood disorders, infections, reactions to medications, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and cancer may also result in itchiness.[2] Itchiness may also be present in mental health disorders such as psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance use.[2]
Treatment should be directed at the underlying cause.[2] Basic measures that may help include moisturizers, a lower temperature environment, not scratching, and avoiding irritants.[2] Medications used may include corticosteroids, antihistamines, and capsaicin.[2] Itchiness is the most common skin related symptom.[2]