Remedy for itching: a review of drugs and alternative methods of therapy

Itching of the skin often causes real torment for a person. This unpleasant condition can affect people regardless of gender, age and lifestyle. Itching can develop due to allergic reactions, dermatological pathologies, insect bites, with diabetes mellitus or other endocrine diseases. The article provides an overview of the best remedies for skin itching, depending on the reasons that provoked it.

Why does itchy skin begin?

In order to choose a medicine that would ideally help get rid of the problem in a short time, you should accurately diagnose the cause. Depending on the symptoms of scabies, you can choose a therapy that will allow the patient to forget about the disease for a long time. The remedy for itching after a mosquito will be completely different from that for allergies or diabetes.

1. Allergic reactions are a common cause of the problem. Patients are used to thinking that the disease has symptoms of runny nose, tearing, and skin rashes. Meanwhile, itching is one of the most striking manifestations of allergies.
2. Diabetes mellitus of both the second and the first type almost always provokes severe scabies. The patient is also concerned about persistent dermatitis, eczema, scleropathy. These conditions force him to comb his skin to wounds. And with diabetes, they heal very slowly, often begin to fester. As a result, drug treatment is required.
3. Insect bites are a common cause of itchy skin in children and adults. The problem is accompanied not only by scabies, but also inflammation of the skin. Folk remedies for mosquito itching are as effective as medications.
4. Solar and domestic burns of the third degree are characterized by redness of the epidermis, pain and a desire to comb the damaged area. Treatment ointments and suspensions should be used in order to get rid of burn symptoms as soon as possible. In no case should you comb the damaged area.
5. Fungal skin lesions are called onychomycosis. For treatment, a systematic approach is required, which involves the use of vitamin-mineral complexes and immunomodulatory drugs inside, externally - ointments and compresses.
6. Disorders of a psycho-emotional nature often become causes of dermatological diseases. This is especially pronounced in children. For example, at the transition to a new school or kindergarten, a child may develop atopic dermatitis. Despite the fact that he eats, as usual, the child begins to suffer from itchy skin. The only cure for it is to establish a psycho-emotional background, relax more and eliminate excessive physical and mental stress.
7. The period of pregnancy is an exceptional time in the life of every woman. Alas, it is associated with a large load on the body. The liver and gall bladder often malfunction. As a result, a pregnant woman often suffers from itching. Means for it for pregnant women are ointments with components that accelerate the regeneration of the epidermis.
8. Chronic diseases of the internal organs (kidney, liver, pancreas and gall bladder) also often lead to severe itching. In order to get rid of it, it is necessary to eliminate the cause, that is, the specific disease that provoked the problem.
9. Scabies of the scalp (accompanied by dandruff and hair loss) most often lies in such causes as seborrhea, onychomycosis, alopecia areata. For the treatment of scalp, special preparations are required, since the usual ointments and creams for the skin of the body can only provoke even greater hair loss.

A variety of pharmacological agents for itching

Self-medication is not recommended. If the cause of the problem is obvious - for example, a bite of a mosquito or gadfly, or allergic manifestations - then you can carry out therapy at home. But if there are no obvious reasons - it is worth getting an appointment with a doctor and undergoing a full examination of the body. Itching can occur with diabetes mellitus, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, enterocolitis. Also, liver diseases - toxic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatitis - often give side effects such as itchy skin.

1. Ointments are an effective remedy for bites and itching. Simply apply the product in a thin layer - and the desire to comb a patch of skin immediately becomes less.
2. Tablets are most often taken as a remedy for itching with allergies. Antihistamines are effective in all types of diseases. Hay fever, an allergy to animal hair or food intolerance - capsules that block antigens will help in any case.
3. Folk remedies for itching the skin - compresses and baths from infusions of herbs with the addition of propolis, honey, olive or linseed oil. Alternative medicine methods are effective primarily for insect bites, eczema, dermatitis of various etiologies. If the cause of scabies is in allergies or diseases of internal organs, then treatment of itching with folk remedies will be practically useless.

Antihistamines are divided into three large classes:

1. Non-hormonal can be used for insect bites, single manifestations of allergies, sunburn and domestic burns, and other non-serious causes of itchy skin.
2. Hormonal - relieve local symptoms of severe allergies. Used for chronic diseases. Effectively and in a short time, itching and burning, provoked by atopic dermatitis, burns, eczema, urticaria in the late stages, are relieved.
3. Antiallergic ointments with antibiotics - eliminate itching caused by inflammatory processes. If the problem is provoked by a virus or infection, this class of drugs should be used.

Antihistamines non-hormonal drugs

This class of medication acts on receptors, blocking discomfort. Below is a list of the most effective and inexpensive drugs in this class.

1. Fenistil is made in the form of a gel. Cooling local exposure instantly blocks discomfort. Apply the gel in a thin layer to the affected area of ​​the skin. Can be used as a remedy for itching after a bite of midges, mosquitoes, gadflies. Patients with diabetes often use Fenistil in order to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of dermatitis. You can use the gel on any part of the body, including the mucous membranes. Avoid ingestion. For the treatment of dental pathologies (stomatitis, ulcers, etc.) is not used.
2. "Skin Cap" is an effective ointment for itching, provoked by onychomycosis, skin seborrhea, infectious inflammation, accompanied by scabies. It is used as part of complex therapy for psoriasis and neurodermatitis. It is not addictive, due to which a long period of time can be used. Almost no side effects. An exception is the individual intolerance of the active components. Activated zinc pyrithione, due to which the Skin Cap is effective, is usually well tolerated and does not cause side effects.
3. Panthenol is a non-hormonal drug that accelerates tissue regeneration. It is used to accelerate the healing of cuts and wounds, which are accompanied by severe itching, burning and discomfort. Available in the form of a spray, suspension, gel and cream. The most harmless remedy for itching, which almost never causes side effects.

Antihistamines hormones

These drugs instantly cope with irritation of the epidermis. Hormonal composition contributes to this. Unfortunately, they are almost always addictive. After withdrawal, the disease usually progresses.

1. "Advantan" is the most powerful cure for itching. The active component of Advantan is methylprednisolone aceponate - a chemical substance with a pronounced regenerative property. It is made in the form of a cream. Used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults. Effectively copes with both allergic rashes and onychomycosis and seborrhea. Unfortunately, after stopping the use of the cream, itchy skin returns if its causes are not eliminated.
2. Hydrocortisone and prednisolone ointments are produced by various pharmacological companies. Often enriched with caring and nutritional components. These are the most effective topical ointments for itching. Eliminate irritation and inflammation immediately after application, after five minutes the patient feels relief. They help with dermatitis, neurodermatitis, insect bites, psoriasis and eczema. Contraindicated for use by pregnant and lactating women, as well as in the presence of bacterial and viral lesions.

Antihistamine ointments with antibiotics

This class of remedies for insect bites from pruritus has the property to also reduce pain and relieve swelling. it contains an antibiotic that helps quickly and effectively.

1. Erythromycin ointment is produced by various pharmacological plants. Depending on this, it may be called "Erythromycin" or others. It has activity against various bacteria and can neutralize the action of poisons of some insects. It is also used in dermatology for infectious skin lesions. It is used as part of complex therapy for atopic dermatitis, which has passed into the stage of suppuration.
2. “Levomekol” is a cheap and popular ointment, the main active ingredient of which is the antibiotic chloramphenicol. It is used for purulent skin lesions that provoke itching. This drug has been popular since Soviet times due to its low cost - about fifty rubles per tube. Absorbed quickly, eliminates irritation and itching.
3. Oflocaine contains the antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone group as the main active ingredient. When applied, it stops pain, irritation, disinfects the surface of the skin. It is effective as a remedy for insect itching, but the presence of an antibiotic in the composition when using should be taken into account. It can provoke the development of side effects with individual intolerance.

Antifungal itch medications

These remedies for itching after a bite are also effective, and if you are too lazy to go to the pharmacy to buy a new drug, you can use them. But the main purpose of antifungal ointments is the fight against onychomycosis and seborrhea.

1. "Lamisil" is available in the form of a gel and cream, quickly eliminates itching, and regenerates the skin. It is used for dermatophytes, multi-colored lichen, mycoses. It is forbidden to use for children under two years of age, pregnant and lactating women.
2. "Nystatin" in the form of an ointment effectively fights yeast that provokes itching with onychomycosis. It is also prescribed for candidal itching. Cheap and popular among people. The main active ingredient is nystatin. As a remedy for itching from bites of mosquitoes, gadflies, spiders, it is also actively used.

Calceneurin Inhibitors Against Itching

The effect of such medications is based on suppressing the release of substances that cause itching. If antihistamines do not allow you to achieve the desired effect, dermatologists often prescribe calceneurin inhibitors.

1. "Elidel" - cream with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity. It is used in the acute period of the disease. Dermatologists, as a rule, do not prescribe it for a period longer than three to four days. Apply it with a thin layer on the affected area of ​​the skin with neurodermatitis, abrasions, purulent wounds, atopic dermatitis. You can use Elidel as a remedy for mosquito itching, and it is effective. But too concentrated composition can cause skin irritation.
2. "Tacropic" is an ointment whose action is to inhibit the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators. Used in extreme cases. If all other remedies for itching were powerless, then Tacropic comes to the rescue.

Remedies for scabies of the scalp

This class of drugs is special. The standard drugs listed above almost always provoke hair loss. And what if the insect bite and the associated allergic reaction occurred in the scalp?

1. "Sulfur ointment" - an effective remedy for itching, which includes sulfur. The drug carefully treats follicles and does not cause inflammation of the scalp. In some cases, women stir sulfuric ointment with castor and burdock oil and apply to the surface of the scalp. Such a compress also accelerates hair growth and reduces hair loss.
2. Menovazan is a powerful remedy for scalp itching. The composition includes menthol, novocaine and anestezin. This ointment is applied to the scalp pointwise - you should not use it over the entire surface, as it almost always causes dryness and peeling of the skin, and subsequently dandruff. Menovazan should only be used when an insect bite has occurred on the scalp and causes pain and severe discomfort.

Ointments and preparations for itching on the hands and feet

If itching and dermatitis are deployed in the elbow and knee bends, on the feet and hands, then this is most likely a manifestation of chronic diseases. such symptoms may be accompanied by general weakness, fever, and digestive disorders. It is worth contacting a doctor for a complete examination of the body and to find out the cause of itching. If, with such symptoms, the patient suffers from a runny nose, tearing, and constantly sneezes, it may be hay fever or an allergy to the hair of a pet. In this case, it is better to seek advice directly from an immunologist or allergist.

In order to get rid of excruciating itching on the arms and legs for a while before determining the exact diagnosis, you can use the following tools:

1. "Baneocin" is available in powder form for the preparation of a suspension and ointment for external use. Antibiotics neomycin and bacitracin as part of the drug provide a local anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect. "Baneocin" is a fairly powerful tool, it should be used only in extreme cases. The ointment is effective for itching caused by diabetes mellitus and other serious diseases.
2. "Levosin" is an inexpensive ointment that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anesthetic and regenerating properties. It is prescribed for itching of various localization, purulent wounds and infectious skin lesions. Contraindications are: age up to 1 year and individual intolerance to individual components of the drug.

Alternative methods of therapy

Folk remedies for itching attract patients with their cheapness and effectiveness. They bring relief only for a short time. But often even this is enough for the patient: to alleviate the discomfort at least temporarily, to get to the pharmacy and get a more effective medication for itching.

1. When insect bites, you can lubricate the itchy place with the juice of any citrus fruit - lemon, orange, grapefruit. Its acid is effective in pain, swelling, scabies. Relief will come briefly - for twenty - thirty minutes. if it is possible to get the juice of fresh celandine - you can squeeze a little juice into the bite. Most often, a rather strong short-term burning occurs, but after a minute or two it passes, and with it the itching, and the desire to comb the place of the bite.
2. Oils that have a nourishing and soothing effect are effective against itching of the scalp. Burdock, castor, linseed, olive are the most popular. They prevent dry skin with fungus and seborrhea, relieve itching, and promote healing in the presence of both oily and dry dandruff.
3. From itching of the body, provoked by diseases of internal organs and diabetes, a bath with salt and soda helps well. You should draw a little warm water into the bath - it should be neither too hot nor too cold. Dissolve a package (1 kg) of soda and salt, lie down with your whole body and enjoy a ten-minute bath. If the itching is clearly expressed on the feet - you can make such a therapeutic bath only for them. If the skin area is located, for example, on the back or neck, it is better to carry out the procedure with a regular bath.
4. Iodine grid helps accelerate blood circulation, and, as a result, reduce itching. You should moisten a cotton swab with iodine and draw a frequent net on the area of ​​the skin that provokes discomfort. This simple procedure can literally five minutes to reduce the severity of discomfort. If the cause of the itch is a mosquito bite, you should generously apply iodine pointwise on the tubercle.