Itching

Overview

Itching is also known as pruritus which is an irritable sensation on the skin causing discomfort to the person. Scratching is a common reaction to relieve the feeling of itchiness. Itching can occur on any parts of the body covered by the skin. Even though there may be no noticeable changes on the skin, itching is often associated with redness, blisters, dry and scaly skin. Usually, itching involves an itch-scratch cycle where the itching triggers the scratch which results in an itchier feeling. It is important to consult a doctor if the itchiness lasts for unusually long periods, affects the daily routine and is unimproved with self and home remedies. The causes of itching include dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, liver disease, kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and certain cancers. Itching may also be a normal reaction of the skin to an allergy or a foreign particle.