Itching also known as pruritus, is an unpleasant sensation that evokes the desire to scratch. In simple words, it is described as a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that creates a desire to scratch the affected area. It is one of the most common problem that a person face at some point in his life and it can be painful. Itching can be really annoying as it irritates the skin and gives you a constant need to scratch the affected area. And if you constantly scratch, it can bruise the skin making it painful.

There are many causes of itching. Itching can be due to the movement of hair and also can be because of a release of a chemical under the skin. Other then that it can be cause by :

• Xerosis: One of the most common cause associated with older age, frequent bathing in hot showers or baths, and high temperature and low humidity environments.
• Skin conditions such as eczema, sunburn, athlete’s foot.
• Insect bites
• Some Medications can also cause itching
• Allergic reactions to some chemicals
• Hodgkin’s Disease
• Jaundice (bilirubin is a skin irritant at high concentrations)
• Thyroid Illness
• Shaving Which may irritate the skin
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Iron Deficiency Anemia
• Parasitic Infections
• Psychiatric
• Cholestasis
• Scabies, infection due to lice or worms
• It might be related to pregnancy in women
• Sunburn can cause itching

I know its really annoying and Itching caused due to non-medical conditions can be treated with the help of home remedies. Here are some of the home remedies that you can try to get rid of itching:

• Apply Aloe Vera, cod liver oil, lemon juice, vitamin E oil, wheat germ oil, or witch hazel tea to the itchy area.
• Take burdock, chickweed, goldenseal, plantain, or yellow dock in capsule form.
• Cornstarch helps relieve itching. You can pour some into your bath water or dust it onto your body.
• Scrub the affected area lightly with a pumice stone. Then wash with soap, apply rubbing alcohol, and dab a thick layer of Vaseline over it.
• Bath with a little peppermint or yellow dock as it is an effective remedy to get rid of itching.
• In you bath tub, put 2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. It will provide relief.
• Baking soda can be used in bath water to soothe skin irritation and alleviate itching from prickly heat, bee stings, insect bites, and other minor skin ailments.
• Use carbolic acid lotion and apply on the affected area
• Prepare a mixture of Aloe Vera, cod liver oil, lemon juice, vitamin E oil and wheat germ oil and apply it on the affected area.
• Itching can also be healed with the help of Burdock root oil.

There are some ways with which you can avoid itching. Just make sure that you dont scratch the itchy area to much because it can make the conditions worse and use cool and light nightwear. Apart from that keep your body and affected areas dry and clean at all times. Moisture can worsen itching. Hope these helped. If its not working or is due to some medical conditions, then you should consult your doctor as he will be able to give you proper medication to get rid of itching.