The six surprising ways to end skin itchiness

From msn.com 

Itching is by far the commonest of skin complaints. Besides the itchy conditions eczema, psoriasis and others, itchy fungal infections of the feet and genitals, I have over the years encountered patients who itch after a glass of red wine, going for a run, having a hot bath, wearing elasticated knickers and similarly unlikely circumstances. 

And yet for all its ubiquity, the mechanisms – and purpose – of itching remains obscure. The instinctive response is to scratch, but to what purpose? The transient relief (indeed pleasure) this affords is more than offset by its prompt resurgence more intensely than before.

The further conundrum posed by itching is that not infrequently there is no obvious explanation – no characteristic rash, no itching-inducing medicines to blame, no signs of jaundice or kidney failure. This is the phenomenon of generalised pruritus (as it is known), the subject of a set of recommendations from the British Association of Dermatologists. 

The medical term for a skin itch is 'generalised pruritus' - Getty© Provided by The Telegraph

Top of the list is the thin, dry, intensely itchy ageing skin of later years – dubbed (if unfortunately) “senile pruritus”. This calls for the generous application of a moisturising emollient together with other measures to prevent evaporation from the surface of the skin – turning down the central heating, a humidifier in the home and regular, short cool showers.

It is necessary too to consider the possibility of a “hidden” cause – iron deficiency anaemia and other blood disorders, an over- (or under-) active thyroid and diabetes. But once these are excluded we are left with Generalised Pruritus of Unknown Origin (GPUO) for which by definition there is no specific remedy. 

Here “the treatment of choice” is an eight-day course of the compound doxepin applied topically. A diverse range of drugs can include antihistamines (cetirizine) or antidepressants such as Prozac – some evidence suggests these can block the effect of histamine. Finally, “expert opinion” favours exposing the skin to bright ultraviolet light (phototherapy) as both safe and effective.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/the-six-surprising-ways-to-end-skin-itchiness/ar-AA1jt7Vv?item=flightsprg-tipsubsc-v1a/