Pruritus Overview

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if itching is associated with other unexplained symptoms, is severe, prolonged, or cannot be easily explained.

Most itching does not require medical evaluation. Try to rule out the obvious causes of itching.

It is sometimes easy for a parent to discern the cause of a child's itching. Usually a simple visual examination will help you identify any bites, stings, rashes, dry skin, or irritation. Often the cause of itching is fairly obvious, such as a mosquito bite.

Recurrent itching without obvious cause, total body itching, and recurrent hives are all indications that the itching should be evaluated as soon as possible. Such itching may be a symptom of an underlying disease or ...