Skip to main content
N I Direct government services

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Contacts
  • Help
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Health and wellbeing
  3. Illnesses and conditions
  4. A to Z

Itching

Itchy skin is usually just an annoying but temporary problem. It rarely means there is a serious underlying cause.

When to see your GP

You should see your GP if your itch:

  • is severe
  • lasts for a long time
  • keeps coming back
  • is associated with other symptoms – such as redness and swelling, or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
  • is all over your body, with no obvious cause
  • Find your local GP

Diagnosing the cause

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms – for example, if anything makes your itch worse, or if your itch comes and goes. They'll also examine your skin to look for visible symptoms.

In some cases, they may take a skin scraping or a swab. This can be tested to help identify the cause of your itching. 

A blood test may also be carried out to look for underlying problems, such as thyroid or kidney disease.

Depending on the cause of your itch, you may be referred to a hospital specialist for a further assessment and specific treatment.

Common causes of itching

Itching can be caused by a number of different conditions, including:

  • skin conditions – such as eczema
  • allergies or skin reactions
  • parasitic infestations – such as scabies
  • viral infection - such as chickenpox
  • insect bites and stings
  • fungal infections – such as athlete's foot or vaginal thrush
  • hormonal changes during pregnancy or the menopause
  • an underlying condition such as liver or kidney problems, or an overactive thyroid gland
  • certain medication - such as medication for pain and medication to reduce cholesterol
  • psychological causes

Managing itching

The best treatment for itching depends on the cause. You may be able to relieve itching and reduce the risk of skin damage caused by scratching with some simple self-help measures.

If necessary, your GP or pharmacist can offer treatments that may help relieve an itch.

General tips

If you experience itching that is bothering you, the following advice may help:

  • keep your nails clean, short and smooth
  • wear cotton gloves at night to prevent damage from scratching in your sleep
  • pat or tap the itchy area, rather than scratching it
  • hold a cold compress, such as a damp flannel, over the affected area to cool it down
  • bathe or shower in cool or lukewarm water - keep baths to less than 20 minutes
  • use personal hygiene products that are not perfumed
  • avoid clothes that irritate your skin, such as wool or man-made fabrics
  • use a moisturiser or emollient if your skin is dry or flaky
  • avoid spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine, as these can affect the blood flow in your skin and make itching worse
  • use mild laundry detergent that is less likely to irritate your skin

Over-the-counter medicines, such as antihistamines and creams, may help relieve itching caused by certain skin conditions. Speak to your pharmacist for advice. If your symptoms do not improve, your GP may prescribe other treatments to help.

  • Find out more about itching on the NHS website

More useful links

  • How to use your health services

The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.

For further information see terms and conditions.

Health conditions A to Z

Or find conditions beginning with A to Z…

Skip A to Z menu
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Translation help

How to translate this page

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?
Report a problem
Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

Messages

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

What is your question about?

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

Related sites

  • gov.uk
  • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Links to supporting information

  • Accessibility statement
  • Crown copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS