If you’re not sure why you have dry or itchy skin, you’re not alone. Peter Young, MD, is a dermatologist and medical director of the skincare company Facet. He explains the cause of itching is not always straightforward, and it is one of the most frequent reasons people go to see a dermatologist. You may also want to avoid synthetic materials and opt for natural ones, such as cotton, instead. These are "breathable" and allow the air to circulate close to your skin.

In chronic hepatitis C infection, the mechanisms responsible for itch remain unclear. In the absence of cholestasis, pruritus may be related to antiviral therapy; it has been noted to occur in patients treated with combination therapy (interferon alfa and ribavirin). We all know not every itch is the same. While some creams work well for that general dry skin itch, others are specially formulated for eczema, so we reached out to dermatologists to determine what they recommend for what type of itch and why. We also had a board-certified allergist on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Menthol and camphor are considered natural analgesics or pain-relievers. This means they work by helping numb the itch, explains Azadeh Shirazi, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center. Menthol provides an additional cooling sensation that can help to relieve pain.A possible alternative, which can be helpful if itchiness is keeping you awake at night, is antihistamine medicine, such as chlorphenamine. Chlorphenamine tends to cause drowsiness so it can also help with sleep problems as well as itchiness. If you do feel drowsy do not drive or operate machinery. Non-steroidal creams: This category includes over-the-counter creams with moisture-enhancing ingredients like glycerin and complex ceramides, essential oils like menthol and camphor, and ingredients like pramoxine. These creams are a great first-choice for skin irritations and general dry skin itch. Other measures that can be useful in preventing pruritus include avoiding precipitating factors such as rough clothing or fabrics, overheating, and vasodilators if they provoke itching (eg, caffeine, alcohol, spices). Fingernails should be kept short and clean. If the urge to scratch is irresistible then rub the area with your palm. Capsaicin, a compound derived from chillies thought to disrupt the itch signal in nerves, but applicable to limited areas only.

Rifampicin is effective for patients with pruritus associated with cholestasis (some forms of liver disease).Uraemic pruritus can be very unpleasant; about half of affected individuals become agitated or depressed. Uraemic pruritus in haemodialysis patients is associated with a 17% increase in mortality. How is uraemic pruritus diagnosed? mild steroid cream (usually for only a few days) for small, inflamed areas – hydrocortisone cream is available from pharmacies over the counter, or your GP can prescribe a steroid cream for you UVB phototherapy is the mainstay of treatment for severe uraemic pruritus that has not responded to conventional treatments. Pruritus is often a symptom of many skin diseases. Some of these are included in the following list.

Lotions are good for hairy or damaged areas of skin (such as weeping eczema – where pus is seeping out of damaged areas of skin). This is because lotions are thin and spread easily, but they're not very moisturising. Sprays Scratching a localised itch may lead to lichen simplex, prurigo or prurigo nodularis. Systemic causes of pruritus

Creams, such as aqueous cream with menthol, are safe to use in pregnancy and can provide some relief from itching.

Skin protectants: Zinc oxide, the primary ingredient in diaper rash cream, is a common skin protectant in anti-itch cream. You may also see petrolatum on the label, which helps seal moisture into the skin (though it may leave you feeling greasy since it’s not highly absorptive). Tetracyclic antidepressants such as mirtazepine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine) may also help some patients with severe itch including when it is caused by cholestasis, T-cell lymphoma, malignancy or a neuropathic cutaneous dysaesthesia. Certain activities, such as gardening, can irritate the skin. It may help to apply an emollient before doing these. Patients with chronic pruritus usually have both peripheral and central hypersensitisation (a heightened reaction) which means they tend to overreact to noxious stimuli which normally inhibit itch (such as heat and scratching) and also misinterpret non-noxious stimuli as an itch (eg, light touch)Emollient soap substitutes that are used instead of normal soap in the bath or shower are not usually available on the NHS. How to get emollients Behavioural therapy may be used in conjunction with pharmacotherapy to modify behaviours such as coping mechanisms and stress reduction, which help interrupt the itch-scratch cycle. One randomised controlled trial showed short-term benefits with a reduction in itch frequency and scratching as well as improvement in coping mechanisms. What is the outcome for pruritus? You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch. Your doctor or pharmacist will talk to you about which type of emollient will work best for your skin condition.