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n.

1. An irritating skin sensation causing a desire to scratch.
2. Any of various skin disorders, such as scabies, marked by intense irritation and itching.
3. A restless desire or craving for something: an itch to travel.

v., itched, itch·ing, itch·es.

v.intr.

1. 1. To feel, have, or produce an itch.
   2. To have a desire to scratch.
2. To have a persistent, restless craving.

v.tr.

1. To cause to itch.
2. To scratch (an itch).

[Middle English yicche, from Old English gicce, from giccan, to itch.]

Key Terms: Chemical messengers, Generalized itching, Histamine, Localized itching, Pruriceptors.

Description

Itching, also called pruritus, is an unpleasant sensation of the skin that causes a person to scratch or rub the area to find relief. Itching can be confined to one spot (localized) or over the whole body (generalized). Severe scratching can injure the skin causing redness, bumps, and scratches. Injured skin is prone to infection.

Itching can profoundly affect quality of life. It can torment the patient and cause discomfort, stress, loss of sleep, concentration difficulty, and constant concern.

Causes

The biology underlying itching is not fully understood. It is believed that itching results from the interactions of several different chemical messengers. Although itching and pain sensations were at one time thought to be sent along the same nerve pathways, researchers reported the discovery in 2003 of itch-specific nerve pathways. Nerve endings that are specifically sensitive to itching have been named pruriceptors.

Research into itching has been helped by the recent invention of a mechanical device called the Matcher, which electrically stimulates the patient's left hand. When the intensity of the stimulation equals the intensity of itching that the patient is experiencing elsewhere in the body, the patient stops the stimulation and the device automatically records the measurement. The Matcher was found to be sensitive to immediate changes in the patient's perception of itching as well as reliable in its measurements.

Itching is associated with a variety of factors including skin diseases, blood diseases, emotions, and drug reactions as well as by cancer and cancer treatments. Itching can be a symptom of cancer including Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, Bowen's disease, multiple myeloma, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) tumors, germ cell tumors, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The buildup of toxins in the blood, caused by kidney, gallbladder, and liver disease, can cause itching. Cancer treatments that are associated with itching are: radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological response modifiers (drugs that improve the patient's immune system). Skin reactions are more severe when both chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used. Patients treated with bone marrow transplantation may develop itching resulting from graft-vs.-host disease. Itching can be caused by infection.

General medications that may be used by cancer patients can cause itching. Itching can be caused by drug reactions from antibiotics, corticosteroids, hormones, and pain relievers (analgesics).

Itching can be a sign that the patient is very sensitive to a particular chemotherapy drug. Chemotherapy drugs and biological response modifiers that can cause itching include:

• allopurinol
• aminoglutethimide
• bleomycin
• carmustine
• chlorambucil
• cyclophosphamide
• cytarabine
• daunorubicin
• doxorubicin
• hydroxyurea
• idarubicin
• interleukin (aldesleukin)
• mechlorethamine
• megestrol acetate
• mitomycin-C
• tamoxifen
• topiramate

Itching commonly occurs during radiation therapy. Parts of the body that are particularly sensitive to radiation are the underarms, groin, abdomen, breasts, buttocks, and skin around the genitals (perineum) and anus (perianal). Itching is usually caused by skin dryness when the oil (sebaceous) glands are damaged by the radiation. Radiation also causes skin darkening, redness, and skin shedding, which can all cause itching.

Itching caused by cancer usually disappears once the cancer is in remission or cured. Chemotherapy-induced itching usually disappears within 30 to 90 minutes after the drug has been administered. Itching caused by radiation therapy will resolve once the injured skin has healed.

Treatments

There are three aspects in the treatment of itching: managing the underlying cancer, maintaining skin health, and relief of itching.

Patients should avoid the particular things that cause or worsen their itching. Also, patients can take measures to maintain skin health. Suggestions include:

• taking short baths in warm water
• using mild soaps and rinsing well
• applying bath oil or moisturizing cream after bathing
• avoiding use of cosmetics, perfumes, deodorants, and starch-based powders
• avoiding wool and other harsh fabrics
• using mild laundry detergents and rinsing thoroughly
• avoiding use of dryer anti-static sheets
• wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing
• avoiding high-friction garments such as belts, pantyhose, and bras
• maintaining a cool environment with a 30% to 40% humidity level
• using cotton sheets
• avoiding vigorous exercise (if sweating causes itching)
• avoiding skin products that are scented or contain alcohol or menthol

To reduce skin injury caused by scratching the patient should keep fingernails short, wear soft cotton mittens and socks at night, and keep the hands clean. Gently rubbing the skin around the itch or applying pressure or vibration to the itchy spot may reduce itching. Using a soft infant toothbrush to gently stroke the itchy area may relieve itching. Itching may be relieved by applying a cool washcloth or ice to the itchy area.

The most effective way to relieve itching is to treat the underlying disease. Sometimes, itching disappears as soon as a tumor is treated or removed.

Itching may be relieved by applying any of a variety of different products to the skin. The patient may need to try several before the most effective one is found. The patient's physician should be consulted before any anti-itch products are used. Topical treatments include:

• Corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, reduce inflammation and itching.
• Calamine lotions can cool and soothe itchy skin. These products can be drying, which may be helpful for weeping or oozing rashes.
• Antihistamine creams stop itching that is associated with the chemical messenger histamine.
• Moisturizers treat dry skin which helps to relieve itching. Moisturizers that are recommended to cancer patients include brand names Alpha Keri, Aquaphor, Eucerin, Lubriderm, Nivea, Prax, and Sarna. Moisturizers should be applied after bathing and at least two or three times daily.
• Gels that contain a numbing agent (e.g. lidocaine) can be used on some parts of the body.

Itching may be treated with whole-body medications. Some of these systemic treatments include:

• antihistamines
• tricyclic antidepressants
• sedatives or tranquilizers
• such selective serotonin reputake inhibitors as paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft)
• binding agents (such as cholestyramine which relieves itching associated with kidney or liver disease).
• aspirin
• cimetidine

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

A well-balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins, vitamins, and liquids will help to maintain skin health. Capsules that contain eicosapentaenoic acid, which is obtained from herring, mackerel, or salmon, may help to reduce itching. Vitamin A plays an important role in skin health. Vitamin E (capsules or ointment) may reduce itching. Patients should check with their treating physician before using supplements.

Homeopathy has been reported to be effective in treating systemic itching associated with hemodialysis.

Baths containing oil with milk or oatmeal are effective at relieving localized itching. Evening primrose oil may soothe itching and may be as effective as corticosteroids. Calendula cream may relieve short-term itching. Other herbal treatments that have been recently reported to relieve itching include sangre de drago, a preparation made with sap from a South American tree; and a mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax.

Distraction, music therapy, relaxation techniques, and visualization may be useful in relieving itching. Ultraviolet light therapy may relieve itching associated with conditions of the skin, kidneys, blood, and gallbladder. There are some reports of the use of acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS) to relieve itching.

Resources

Books

Beers, Mark H., MD, and Robert Berkow, MD, editors. "Pruritus." Section 10, Chapter 109 In The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 2002.

Periodicals

Al-Waili, N. S. "Topical Application of Natural Honey, Beeswax and Olive Oil Mixture for Atopic Dermatitis or Psoriasis: Partially Controlled, Single-Blinded Study." Complementary Therapies in Medicine 11 (December 2003): 226–234.

Browning, J., B. Combes, and M. J. Mayo. "Long-Term Efficacy of Sertraline as a Treatment for Cholestatic Pruritus in Patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis." American Journal of Gastroenterology 98 (December 2003): 2736–2741.

Cavalcanti, A. M., L. M. Rocha, R. Carillo, Jr., et al. "Effects of Homeopathic Treatment on Pruritus of Haemodialysis Patients: A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Trial." Homeopathy 92 (October 2003): 177–181.

Ikoma, A., R. Rukwied, S. Stander, et al. "Neurophysiology of Pruritus: Interaction of Itch and Pain." Archives of Dermatology 139 (November 2003): 1475–1478.

Jones. K. "Review of Sangre de Drago (Croton lechleri)—A South American Tree Sap in the Treatment of Diarrhea, Inflammation, Insect Bites, Viral Infections, and Wounds: Traditional Uses to Clinical Research." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 9 (December 2003): 877–896.

Ochoa, J. G. "Pruritus, a Rare but Troublesome Adverse Reaction of Topiramate." Seizure 12 (October 2003): 516–518.

Stener-Victorin, E., T. Lundeberg, J. Kowalski, et al. "Perceptual Matching for Assessment of itch; Reliability and Responsiveness Analyzed by a Rank-Invariant Statistical Method." Journal of Investigative Dermatology 121 (December 2003): 1301–1305.

Zylicz, Z., M. Krajnik, A. A. Sorge, and M. Costantini. "Paroxetine in the Treatment of Severe Non-Dermatological Pruritus: A Randomized, Controlled Trial." Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 26 (December 2003): 1105–1112.

—Belinda Rowland, Ph.D.; Rebecca J. Frey, Ph.D.

noun

1. A strong wanting of what promises enjoyment or pleasure: appetence, appetency, appetite, craving, desire, hunger, longing, lust, thirst, wish, yearning, yen. See desire.
2. Sexual hunger: amativeness, concupiscence, desire, eroticism, erotism, libidinousness, lust, lustfulness, passion, prurience, pruriency. See desire, sex/asexual.

verb

To have a greedy, obsessive desire: crave, hunger, lust, thirst. See desire.

n

Definition: strong desire
Antonyms: dislike, hate, hatred

v

Definition: desire strongly
Antonyms: dislike, hate

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A skin disease attended with itching.

• girth i. — see girth itch.
• grain i. — pruritic dermatitis due to a mite, Pyemotes ventricosus, which preys on certain insect larvae which live on straw, grain and other plants.
• ground i. — the pruritic eruption caused by the entrance into the skin of the hookworm larvae. See also bunostomiasis, ancylostomiasis, uncinariasis.
• mad i. — see aujeszky's disease.
• i. mite — see psorergates ovis.
• Queensland i. — see equine allergic dermatitis.
• sweet i. — see equine allergic dermatitis.

A cynical view of the world by Ambrose Bierce

n.

The patriotism of a Scotchman.

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This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - kløe, lyst, længsel, fnat, skab
v. intr. - klø, længes efter
v. tr. - stedet, hvor det klør, kløen

idioms:

• itch mite    fnatmide
• itching powder    kløpulver

Nederlands (Dutch)
jeuken, jeuk hebben, graag willen, schurft, jeuk, verlangen

Français (French)
n. - démangeaison, (Méd) gale, envie (de faire)
v. intr. - démanger, avoir des démangeaisons
v. tr. - démanger, (US) gratter

idioms:

• itch mite    mite
• itching powder    poil à gratter

Deutsch (German)
n. - Jucken, Drang, Lust
v. - jucken

idioms:

• itch mite    Krätzmilbe
• itching powder    Juckpulver

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - κνησμός, φαγούρα, ψώρα, λαχτάρα, όρεξη
v. - έχω ή προκαλώ φαγούρα, "με τρώει"

idioms:

• itch mite    άκαρι της ψώρας
• itching powder    φαγουρόσκονη

Italiano (Italian)
prudere, prurito

idioms:

• itch mite    acaro della scabbia
• itching powder    polverina del prurito

Português (Portuguese)
n. - coceira (f)
v. - coçar, desejar

idioms:

• itch mite    ácaro (m) da sarna (Sarcoptes scabiei)
• itching powder    pó-de-mico (m)

Русский (Russian)
зуд, непреодолимое желание, чесаться, вызывать зуд, раздражать

idioms:

• itch mite    чесоточный клещ
• itching powder    порошок против зуда

Español (Spanish)
n. - picazón, comezón, prurito, ganas
v. intr. - tener ganas, sentir picazón o comezón
v. tr. - picar, anhelar, producir picazón o comezón

idioms:

• itch mite    ácaro de la sarna, arador
• itching powder    polvos de picapica

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - klåda, starkt begär, åtrå
v. - klia, (- for) känna längtan (efter)

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
痒, 疥癣, 渴望, 发痒, 使发痒, 使恼怒, 使烦恼, 搔

idioms:

• itch mite    疥癣虫
• itching powder    致痒粉

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 癢, 疥癬, 渴望
v. intr. - 發癢, 渴望
v. tr. - 使發癢, 使惱怒, 使煩惱, 搔

idioms:

• itch mite    疥癬蟲
• itching powder    致癢粉

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 가려움, 옴, 갈망
v. intr. - 가렵다, ~하고 싶어 좀이 쑤시다
v. tr. - 가렵다, ~이 탐이 나서 못 견디다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - かゆいこと, かゆみ, 疥癬, うずうずする気持ち, 切望
v. - かゆい, かゆみを感じる, うずうずする

idioms:

• itch mite    皮癬の虫, ヒゼンダニ

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) حكه, إثارة, تلهف (فعل) يحكه جلده, يثير, يغضب‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮גירוי, עקצוץ, תאווה, גירוד, גרב (אקזמה), תשוקה חסרת-סבלנות, גרדת‬
v. intr. - ‮חש עקצוץ, חש גירוי או גירוד‬
v. tr. - ‮גירה, גירד‬

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Jock Itch	Anti Itch Cream For Rashes
jock itch	Jock Itch Lotion