Causes and Treatment Options for Itchy Skin Problems Also Known as Pruritus

Itchy skin may appear as

Possible causes of itchy skin include:

Dry skin due to environmental factors such as hot or cold weather with low humidity and washing or bathing too much

Internal diseases including kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems and cancers

Nerve disorders such as multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster)

Reactions to drugs, such as antibiotics, antifungal drugs or narcotic pain medications

During pregnancy, some women experience itchy skin, especially on the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms.

Dry skin due to environmental factors such as hot or cold weather with low humidity and washing or bathing too much

Itchy Skin: Manifestations

Medications and skin healing

• Corticosteroid creams. Applied topically, their usefulness is limited to short-term treatment as they can cause adverse effects, such as telangiectasia, atrophy, and striae if used long term.
• Calcineurin inhibitors. Drugs, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) in cases when itchy area isn’t large.
• Oral antihistamines. Includes over-the-counter drugs cetirizine and loratadine (that don’t make you sleepy), and diphenhydramine that make your sleepy.
• Antidepressants. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine and sertraline, may help reduce various types of skin itching.