National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Itching is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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National Institutes of Health
Itching
Also called: Pruritus
Itching is skin tingling or irritation that makes you want to scratch the itchy area. It's a symptom of many health conditions. Common causes are
- Allergic reactions
- Eczema
- Dry skin
- Insect bites and stings
- Irritating chemicals
- Parasites such as pinworms, scabies, head and body lice
- Pregnancy
- Rashes
- Reactions to medicines
To soothe itchy skin, you can try cold compresses, lotions and lukewarm baths. Avoid scratching, wearing irritating fabrics and high heat and humidity. Most itching is not serious. However, if you itch all over, have hives that keep coming back or have itching without an apparent cause, you might require medical attention.
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Overviews
- Itchy Skin (Pruritus)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- What Makes Us Itch?(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Also available in Spanish
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Latest News
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NIH Scientists Discover Molecule Triggers Sensation of Itch(05/23/2013, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
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NIH Scientists Discover Molecule Triggers Sensation of Itch
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Specific Conditions
- Anal Itching(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Dry Skin (Xerosis)(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Dry Skin (Xerosis)(Logical Images)
- Grover's Disease(American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
- Itchy Hands or Feet(Logical Images)
- Lichen Simplex Chronicus(Logical Images)
- Neurodermatitis (Lichen Simplex Chronicus)(American Academy of Dermatology)
- Prurigo Nodularis(American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
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Pruritus (PDQ)(National Cancer Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Related Issues
- Don't Swallow Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel: Use on Skin(Food and Drug Administration)
- Notalgia Paresthetica(Logical Images)
- Rashes: The Itchy Truth(Nemours Foundation)
- Scratching the Surface on Skin Allergies(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - PDF
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Health Check Tools
- Itching(DSHI Systems)
- Itching (Scalp)(DSHI Systems)
- Vaginal Itching(DSHI Systems)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Pruritus(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Pruritus
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Research
- Itch: More Than Skin Deep(Society for Neuroscience)
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Untangling the Source of Ouch and Itch(National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Directories
- Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Organizations
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Children
- Itchy Bumps on the Skin in Children(Logical Images)
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Patient Handouts
- Itching
- Also available in Spanish
- Lichen simplex chronicus
- Also available in Spanish
- Urticaria pigmentosa
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
