Itchy skin is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch. It's also called pruritus (proo-RIE-tus). Itchy skin is often caused by dry skin and is common in older adults, as skin tends to become drier with age.

Understanding the Context

Depending on the cause of your itchiness, your skin may look no different than usual or it may be inflamed, rough or have bumps. Diagnosis Diagnosing the cause of itchy skin starts with a physical exam and questions about your medical history. If your health care provider thinks your itchy skin is the result of a medical condition, you might have tests, including: Blood test. A complete blood count can provide evidence of an internal condition causing your itch, such as anemia.

Key Insights

Tests of liver and kidney function. Liver ... When you see your kid scratching their head, your gut instinct might be to grab head lice shampoo. But itching can mean tons of things, ranging from the superficial to the serious. So how do you solve the mystery of your kid’s itchy scalp?

Final Thoughts

And the time-honored question: how do you stop scratching when it feels sooooo good? On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, we talk with pediatric ... Why is my head itchy? How to soothe and solve an itchy scalp Swollen and itchy causes me to wonder if you have allergies. Did you see an ophthalmologist and did they determine the reason for your symptoms? Allergies effects on the eyes might be treated specifically.

Otherwise, there are prescription meds for dry eye, as well as plasma drops, punctual plugs, Lipoflow, etc. Contact dermatitis is an itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it. The rash isn't contagious, but it can be very uncomfortable. Many substances can cause this reaction, such as cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry and plants.