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 January 10, 2020 Print More in Allergies Nose & Eye Allergies Drug & Latex Allergies Contact Dermatitis Food Allergies Skin Allergies Animal & Insect Allergies Urticaria & Angioedema Common Treatments 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. EyesNoseThroatFaceSkin - all over (generalized) or in one location (localized) If you have an itch in your genital area, contact your health care provider for guidance. It could be caused by several different types of infections—from basic skin irritation to a sexually transmitted infection (STI). 2 What is Causing the Itching? Itchy nose. Getty Images Some common causes of itching include: The common coldSeasonal allergiesFood or medication allergiesRashesEczemaDry skinPregnancyParasites - such as head lice and scabiesInsect bites and stingsContact 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 health care provider to get an accurate diagnosis. 3 Treating Itching With 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) - this includes diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Clarinex) and fexofenadine (Allegra). Benadryl or generic diphenhydramine is best for allergic reactions.Anti-itch creams such as 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 a life-threatening allergic reaction. 4 Treating Itchy Skin Without Medication Lotion or moisturizer may help with itching skin. RunPhoto/Taxi Japan/Getty Images If you have itchy skin, but do not need to take medication, or don't want to, these options may help. They can help soothe and calm your itchy skin. Cold compresses (cold cloth)Lukewarm bathsLotions or moisturizersUsing mild soapOatmeal bath Things to avoid if you have itchy skin: Irritating fabrics (especially wool and polyester)High heatHumidityScratchingLong hot baths - 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." 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