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Itching of skin
Also known as Pruritis
Itch (Latin: pruritus) is a sensation that causes the desire or reflex to scratch. Itch has resisted many attempts to classify it as any one type of sensory experience. Modern science has shown that itch has many similarities to pain, and while both are unpleasant sensory experiences, their behavioral response patterns are different. Pain creates a withdrawal reflex while itch leads to a scratch reflex.
Source: WikipediaWhat causes it?
The most common causes of itching of skin are contact dermatitis, allergy, and itching of unknown cause. Other possible causes, such as scabies, are more rare.
What symptoms are related?
Within all the people who go to their doctor with itching of skin, 86% report having skin rash, 50% report having abnormal appearing skin, and 26% report having skin lesion.
- Skin rash strong predictor 86
- Abnormal appearing skin strong predictor 50
- Skin lesion 26
- Skin irritation strong predictor 24
- Skin dryness, peeling, scaliness, or roughness strong predictor 22
- Allergic reaction 21
- Skin swelling 20
- Paresthesia 14
- Peripheral edema 13
- Fluid retention 10
- Skin growth 10
- Skin pain strong predictor 9
What might my doctor prescribe?
Common Tests and Procedures
Patients with itching of skin often receive complete physical skin exam performed (ml), excision, hemoglobin a1c measurement, biopsy, excision of skin lesion, other diagnostic procedures on skin and subcutaneous tissue, diagnostic procedures on ear and other gastrointestinal diagnostic procedures .
Common Medications
The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with itching of skin include diphenhydramine (benadryl), hydroxyzine, hydrocortisone topical, triamcinolone, triamcinolone topical product, permethrin topical, clobetasol topical, betamethasone topical product, ketoconazole, betamethasone-clotrimazole topical, fluocinonide topical, desonide topical and doxepin .
| Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) | $5 (21 days) | |
| Hydroxyzine | $23 (28 days) | |
| Hydrocortisone Topical | ||
| Triamcinolone | $24 (21 days) | |
| Triamcinolone Topical Product | ||
| Permethrin Topical | ||
| Clobetasol Topical | ||
| Betamethasone Topical Product | ||
| Ketoconazole | $28 (21 days) | |
| Betamethasone-Clotrimazole Topical | ||
| Fluocinonide Topical | ||
| Desonide Topical | ||
| Doxepin | $10 (28 days) |
Who is at risk?
Groups of people at highest risk for itching of skin include race/ethnicity = other.
Age
| < 1 years | 0.3x | |
| 1-4 years | 1.0x | |
| 5-14 years | 1.4x | |
| 15-29 years | 1.0x | |
| 30-44 years | 1.1x | |
| 45-59 years | 1.0x | |
| 60-74 years | 0.9x | |
| 75+ years | 0.8x |
Sex
| Male | 0.9x | |
| Female | 1.1x |
Race/Ethnicity
| Black | 1.3x | |
| Hispanic | 1.1x | |
| White | 0.8x | |
| Other | 1.5x |
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