Itchy Skin
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Itchy
The skin is itchy and has scratches
Skin itching that worsens at night
Itch is mild
Itching
Scratching the skin
Nighttime itch is worse
Persistent, mild itch
Itch
A scratch
Itch improves during the day
Itch is minor
About the Symptom
Skin itching is an irritating and uncontrollable sensation that makes a person wants to scratch to relieve the feeling. Most itching is not serious. To feel better, you could try: Applying cold compresses Using moisturizing creams Taking lukewarm or oatmeal baths Using over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines Avoiding wearing irritating fabrics, and exposure to high heat and humidity
Possible Causes
Generally, Itchy skin can be related to:
- Scabies
A highly contagious disease caused by Scabies mites. It can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or contact with the clothes or furniture of infected individuals.
- Dyshidrotic Eczema
This refers to a skin inflammation where small blisters develop on the fingers, palms, and soles.
- Crab Louse
An infestation caused by tiny insects living in pubic hair, resulting in itching. It is often sexually transmitted, but can also be acquired by using infested towels or beds.
- Pruritus
- Id reaction
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Prurigo Nodularis
- Lip Licker's Dermatitis
- Contact Dermatitis
- Asteatotic Eczema
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have itchy skin?
- When did you first notice your itchy skin?
- How often do you experience itchy skin?
- How is your itchy skin now?
- Have you scratched your skin until it was damaged?
Reviewed By:
Sarita Nori, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Sarita Nori was drawn to dermatology because of the intersection of science and medicine that is at the heart of dermatology. She feels this is what really allows her to help her patients. “There is a lot of problem-solving in dermatology and I like that,” she explains. “It’s also a profession where you can help people quickly and really make a difference in their lives.” | Some of the typical skin problems that Dr. Nori treats include skin cancers, psoriasis, acne, eczema, rashes, and contact dermatitis. Dr Nori believes in using all possible avenues of treatment, such as biologics, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. “These medications can work superbly, and they are really life-changing for many patients.” | Dr. Nori feels it’s important for patients to have a good understanding of the disease or condition that is affecting them. “I like to educate my patients on their problem and have them really understand it so they can take the best course of action. Patients always do better when they understand their skin condition, and how to treat it.”
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- There is itching throughout the body
- Itch is worse at night compared to the day
- Itching on the soles of the feet
- There are scratches on the skin
- Itching on the back of the hand
- I have itching on my forehead
- Scratched skin
- Minor itch
- I have a whole body itch
- Itch worse at night
- Mild itch
See full list
User Testimonials for Itchy skin
Female, Teens
Ubie helped by matching my symptoms to something that was a serious diagnosis. Apart from asking multiple questions it was quite accurate as the dermatologist had a similar analysis. My symptoms included itchy patchy skin with many red rashes, swelling, and irritated skin texture. My dermatologist finally diagnosed me with eczema.
(Feb 1, 2025)
Find Similar Symptoms
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FAQs
Q.
Itch Won’t Stop? Why Your Skin Is Burning and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Persistent itchy, burning skin usually has a treatable cause, most often dry skin, contact reactions, fungal rashes in moist folds where nystatin cream helps only for yeast, eczema, heat rash, or shingles, with rarer links to liver, kidney, thyroid issues, iron deficiency, or cancer. Start with gentle skin care, cooling, fragrance-free moisturizers, and stopping likely irritants, and seek care if it spreads fast, lasts over two weeks, oozes, causes severe pain, fever, poor sleep, or jaundice; there are several factors to consider and the complete, medically approved next steps, including when to use or avoid antifungals like nystatin and steroids, are detailed below.
References:
* Ständer S, Dugas M, Steinke S, et al. Chronic Pruritus: An Updated Review. JAMA Dermatol. 2020 Jul 1;156(7):793-801. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.0898. PMID: 32374351.
* Misery L, Ständer S, Bergasa NV. Clinical approach to patients with burning skin sensation. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Mar;32(3):351-356. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14652. Epub 2017 Nov 6. PMID: 28984042.
* Yosipovitch G. Neuropathic Itch. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2018 Dec;37(6):427-431. doi: 10.1016/j.sder.2018.11.002. Epub 2018 Nov 13. PMID: 30514498.
* Weisshaar E, Szepietowski JC, Dalgard FJ, et al. European S1 guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pruritus – updated version. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Apr;32(4):719-747. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14811. Epub 2018 Feb 8. PMID: 29388151.
* Patel KR, Dong S, Yosipovitch G. Chronic pruritus in adults: an updated review of a challenging condition. J Cutan Med Surg. 2018 Sep/Oct;22(5):548-552. doi: 10.1177/1203475418776860. Epub 2018 Jun 7. PMID: 29889600.
Q.
Still Itching? Why Your Skin is Burning & Medically Approved Clotrimazole Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider if your skin is still itching or burning, from treatable fungal infections that respond to clotrimazole to nonfungal causes like contact dermatitis, eczema, heat rash, or bacterial infection that need different care. Use clotrimazole by cleaning and fully drying skin, applying a thin layer twice daily for 2 to 4 weeks, keeping the area dry, and reassessing if no improvement after 2 weeks or if symptoms are severe; see below for critical signs, timelines, prevention, and mistakes to avoid that can change your next steps.
References:
* Ständer S. Pathophysiology of Pruritus. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021 Apr;11(2):339-354.
* Weisshaar E, Ständer S, Gieler U. Pruritus: Current Aspects of Research and Management. Dermatol Clin. 2021 Apr;39(2):167-176.
* Elgert P, Bruns C, Kuhlmann N, Kogel P, Wiegand C, Hipler UC, Elsner P. Pruritus and burning sensation in patients with fungal skin infections: a prospective study. Mycoses. 2016 Jan;59(1):47-52.
* Gupta AK, Chow M. Treatment of dermatophytosis with topical antifungal agents: a review. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2015;16(7):1085-100.
* Del Rosso JQ, Gold MH. A Review of the Efficacy, Safety, and Patient Acceptability of a Unique Topical Clotrimazole Formulation With Focus on the Treatment of Cutaneous Candidiasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jul 1;18(7):643-649.
Q.
Still Itchy? Why Your Skin Is Resisting Levocetirizine & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
If levocetirizine is not easing your itch, the problem may be non-histamine causes like eczema, dry skin, neuropathic itch, or systemic conditions, the dose for chronic hives may need supervised adjustment, or ongoing triggers and skin barrier damage may be driving symptoms. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete, medically approved next steps including optimizing fragrance-free skin care and trigger avoidance, discussing dose changes or alternative antihistamines with a clinician, exploring non-histamine treatments, and knowing red flags and when to seek care.
References:
* Zuberbier, T., Abdul Latiff, A. H., Beggs, S., et al. (2022). The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis and management of urticaria. *Allergy*, *77*(3), 735-763. PMID: 34509192. DOI: 10.1111/all.15090. PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34509192/
* Ständer, S., & Schmelz, M. (2018). New mechanisms in chronic pruritus. *Handbook of Clinical Neurology*, *159*, 263-276. PMID: 30424578. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64073-4.00017-7. PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30424578/
* Sticherling, M., & Maurer, M. (2022). Management of Chronic Urticaria Refractory to Antihistamines: A Review of the Current Literature. *Drugs*, *82*(11), 1215-1229. PMID: 35919630. DOI: 10.1007/s40265-022-01768-4. PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35919630/
* Schmetzer, O., & Maurer, M. (2020). The role of mast cells and histamine in chronic itch and urticaria. *Immunity, Inflammation and Disease*, *8*(1), 16-29. PMID: 31835787. DOI: 10.1002/iid3.291. PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31835787/
* Sharma, V. K., Kumaran, M. S., & Gupta, D. (2022). Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria with levocetirizine: A real-world evidence study. *Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology*, *88*(3), 425-429. PMID: 35147816. DOI: 10.25259/IJDVL_661_20. PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35147816/
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Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Tivoli YA, Rubenstein RM. Pruritus: an updated look at an old problem. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2009 Jul;2(7):30-6. PMID: 20729968; PMCID: PMC2924137.