Itch

Medications that can cause itching

Some medications can have itching as a side effect. This can range from mild itching to severe skin reactions. Some examples of medications that can cause itching include antibiotics such as penicillin, painkillers such as morphine, blood pressure-lowering drugs such as ACE inhibitors, and some cancer drugs. If you suspect your itching is caused by a medication you are taking, always consult your doctor before stopping taking it.

Self-care measures for itching

There are several self-care measures you can take to relieve itching. First, it is important not to scratch, as this can damage the skin and make itching worse. Instead, try soothing the itchy spots by gently dabbing them with a cold washcloth or applying a soothing lotion or cream.

In addition, wearing loose, cotton clothing can help reduce friction on the skin. Avoiding hot baths and showers and using mild, unscented soap can also help soothe the skin.

Itching in infants, children and the elderly

Itching can be especially challenging in infants, children and the elderly because of their sensitive skin and possible reduced ability to perform self-care measures. In infants and children, it is important to keep nails short to prevent scratching and to use mild, unscented products to care for the skin.

Elders may have thin, fragile skin that is more susceptible to irritation and itching. Using moisturizers and avoiding hot baths can help reduce itching and keep the skin healthy.

Treatment of itching

There are several treatments available. Below are some medications that are available at pharmacies without a prescription.

Soothing and protective cream and ointment
Soothing and protective creams and ointments contain no active ingredients and keep the skin supple and prevent further drying of the skin. Complaints such as itching, scaling, cracking and burning reduce.

These remedies are available without a prescription. Examples for skin that is not too dry are: lanet cream and cetomacrogol cream. Examples for very dry skin are: vaseline lanette cream and vaseline cetomacrogol cream. Cooling and protective ointments, such as cooling ointment, can also be used.

Drying and cooling gel
If the itching is caused by wet eczema, you can actually use a drying and cooling gel, which relieves the itching. An example is carbomer water gel.

Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide has an itch-relieving, protective and cooling effect. This decreases the heat in the skin and the tendency to scratch. Examples include ZOK ointment, zinc oxide paste, zinc oxide ointment and zinc ointment.

Calamine shake
Calamine shake contains zinc oxide and zinc carbonate. Zinc carbonate, like zinc oxide, has an itch-relieving, protective and cooling effect.

Local anesthetics
Local anesthetics, or local anesthetics, numb the skin and temporarily reduce pain and itching such as in mosquito bites, hives and chicken pox. Examples are capsaicin, lidocaine and pramocaine.

Menthol
Menthol is incorporated into creams or a gel form because of its cooling effect. Example is levomenthol gel.

Anti-allergy agents
Sometimes itching is caused by an allergy. Anti-allergy drugs, or antihistamines, block the action of histamine, a substance released in the body during an allergic reaction. Examples include cetirizine, cinnarizine, levocetirizine and loratadine,

Indifferential creams
Indifferential creams are creams that contain no active ingredients and serve mainly to moisturize and protect the skin. Available at pharmacies without a prescription, these creams can help soothe and calm itchy, dry skin. Regular application of an indifferent cream can strengthen the skin barrier and reduce itching.

Itching, therefore, can be an annoying complaint in people of all ages. In chronic complaints, it is important to identify the underlying cause of the itching and seek medical attention if necessary. In the meantime, self-care measures and the use of indifferent creams can help you relieve itching and soothe the skin.