What Do Doctors Prescribe For Itching?
What do doctors prescribe for itching?
There are a number of conditions and medical conditions that may cause itching, including eczema, allergic reactions and other skin disorders. If you have itching that is severe or comes with other symptoms, such as fatigue or fever, talk with your doctor. If the itch is persistent, it could be caused by an internal condition that requires treatment, such as liver or kidney disease.
Some inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis can also cause itching. If itching is associated with a rash, a doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory drugs and other treatments to relieve the itching and reduce inflammation.
If itching is associated with a skin infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. These medications kill bacteria that can cause itching and other symptoms, such as rashes.
Medications that can help with itching include calamine lotion, antihistamine creams and ointments, hydrocortisone cream, corticosteroid injections, and other topical products. You can also try applying a cold washcloth or ice wrapped in a towel over the itching area to soothe and cool the skin.
Your doctor can also give you tips to help reduce itching. These include:
Keep your fingernails short to avoid scratching the itching skin. Cover the itchy skin with a hat or clothing to prevent scratching, especially when you are sleeping.
Use moisturizing lotion or ointment on your itchy skin after bathing. Your dermatologist may prescribe a special skin moisturizer that is designed to be used on itchy skin.
Itchy skin from a fungal or parasitic infection such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, or tinea can be treated with antifungal medication. For more serious infections, your doctor may prescribe prescription-strength medication such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or other antifungal agents.
Some itching can be caused by mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Some medications can relieve this type of itching, including antidepressants.
Antidepressants can reduce itching and other symptoms by relaxing nerves that send signals to your brain causing you to feel itchy. Your doctor can help you decide if these medications are right for you and how to take them safely.
Your doctor can also tell you if you have an allergy that is causing the itching. Antihistamines can help relieve itching that is associated with allergies, such as hay fever. Oral antihistamines can be purchased over the counter or at your pharmacy, including Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine) and Allegra (fexofenadine).
If your itching is related to a nerve problem, such as diabetic neuropathy, your doctor can prescribe topical medicines to reduce itching and other symptoms. These medicines can help relax the nerves and reduce inflammation in the skin.
You can also treat itching by removing the source of your itchiness, such as reducing exposure to allergens, eating foods that don’t trigger an allergic reaction, or using over-the-counter medicines such as topical steroid creams and ointments. Your doctor can also teach you about home care strategies that can help reduce itching, such as using a humidifier in your home to increase moisture and keeping your skin moisturized with a nonirritating cream or lotion.
