Allergies How to Put a Stop to Itching By Kristina Duda, RN facebook twitter linkedin Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Learn about our editorial process Kristina Duda, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on November 04, 2019 Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD Updated on August 13, 2020 Print Itching can be an incredibly irritating and frustrating symptom. Whether you are itching due to an allergic reaction, skin irritation, an illness, or any other reason, you likely will do whatever it takes to make it stop. It's important to figure out what is causing the itching so you know the best way to treat it and find some relief. 1 Where Are You Itching? Itchy face, eyes, nose. Getty Images Itching is a common symptom of allergies and multiple illnesses. It can have many causes - from general irritation to a medication reaction or side effect. Where you are itching can be a clue to what is causing it. Eyes Nose Throat Face Skin: All over (generalized) or in one location (localized) If you have an itch in your genital area, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. It could be caused by several different types of infections—from basic skin irritation to a sexually transmitted infection (STI). 2 Causes Itchy nose. Getty Images Some common causes of itching include: The common cold Seasonal allergies Food allergies or medication allergies Rashes Eczema Dry skin Pregnancy Parasites such as head lice and scabies Insect bites and stings Contact with irritants such as chemicals or plants like poison ivy The treatment that is most appropriate is dependent on the cause. If you have dry, itchy skin then lotion may bring relief. If you are experiencing itching due to allergies, an oral allergy medication may be best. Itching from an insect bite or sting is often best treated with a topical anti-itch cream. If itching is persistent and bothersome, you should contact your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis. 3 Medications Allergy medication. BSIP/UIG/Getty Images Once you have figured out what is causing your itching, you can figure out how to treat it. Some medication options that can help relieve itching include: Antihistamines (medications for itching, sneezing, and runny nose) including Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), Clarinex (desloratadine) and Allegra (fexofenadine). Benadryl or generic diphenhydramine is best for allergic reactions. Anti-itch creams such as topical corticosteroids may be helpful for itching in small areas. Other medications: If your itchy skin has gotten infected, you may need treatment with antibiotics. If it is caused by another medication you are taking, talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options. If you experience difficulty breathing, facial or tongue swelling or vomiting accompanied by hives, seek medical attention immediately. These are signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. 4 Treatment Without Medication Lotion or moisturizer may help with itching skin. RunPhoto/Taxi Japan/Getty Images If you have itchy skin but do not need or want to take medication, these options may help. They can help soothe and calm your itchy skin: Cold compresses (cold cloth) Lukewarm baths Lotions or moisturizers Using mild soap Oatmeal bath Things to avoid if you have itchy skin: Irritating fabrics (especially wool and polyester) High heat Humidity Scratching Long hot bathsL Although it may provide temporary comfort, bathing in hot water can actually dry out your skin and make itching worse. Bubble baths, powders, cornstarch While it may be difficult not to scratch the itchy skin, using the methods suggested above could help. Try to limit scratching as much as possible since it only irritates the skin further and increases your risk of infection. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Song J, Xian D, Yang L, Xiong X, Lai R, Zhong J. Pruritus: Progress toward pathogenesis and treatment. BioMed Research International. 2018;2018:1-12. doi:10.1155/2018/9625936 Patel T, Yosipovitch G. Therapy of pruritus. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2010;11(10):1673–1682. doi:10.1517/14656566.2010.484420 Weisshaar E, Kucenic MJ, Fleischer AB. Pruritus: a review. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh). 2003;(213):5-32 Additional Reading "Pruritis (PDQ)". Cancer Treatment 5 Feb 14. National Cancer Institute. National Institutes of Health. US Department of Health and Human Services. "Itching." Medline Plus 05 Mar 2007. U.S. National Library of Medicine. "Pruritis". FamilyDoctor.org Apr 14. American Academy of Family Physicians.