Pruritus
Itchy skin is usually just an annoying buttemporary problem, and rarely indicates a serious underlying cause.
But you should see your GP if your itch:
Findyour local GP.
The medical name for itching is pruritus.
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms for example, if anything makes your itch worse, or if your itch comes and goes. They'll also examine your skin to look for visible symptoms.
In some cases, they may take a skin scraping or a swab so it can be tested to help identify the cause of your itching.
A blood testmay also be carried out to look for underlying problems, such as thyroid or kidney disease.
Depending on the cause ofyour itch, you may be referred to ahospital specialist for a further assessment and specific treatment.
Itching can be caused by a number of different conditions, including:
Read aboutthe possible causes of itching.
If you experience troublesome itching, the following advice may help:
Over-the-countermedicines, such asantihistamines and steroid creams, may help relieve itching caused by certain skin conditions.
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Itching (prutitis) is an unpleasant sensation that compels a person to scratch the affected area.
Read about the causes of itching. An itch is often caused by a condition affecting the skin, but it can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem.
Read about treatments for itching. The treatment for itching will largely depend on the cause.