Itching is the sensation of insects crawling over any part of the body, together with symptoms such as burning and stinging. This sensation can be very distressing and can lead to sleeplessness, tension and depression.

There are many causes of widespread itching of the body:
1. Itching can be a symptom of dermatological diseases such as eczema, fungal infections, urticaria, lichen planus, chickenpox, dry skin, insect bites, scabies, lice, prickly heat, dermatitis herpetiformis and bullous pemphigoid.
2. Itching can be a symptom of certain internal diseases, such as liver, kidney, thyroid and blood diseases, vitamin and iron deficiency, cancers and parasitic diseases.
3. Medicines
4. People with an allergic constitution who have asthma or hay fever may have dry itching.
5. Distress and stress can cause itching in certain areas of the body or all over.

Patients whose itching continues despite investigation of other causes should also be assessed by a psychiatrist.

How can the causes of itching be identified?
In a patient with itching, a good dermatological examination should first be carried out and a detailed history taken. In this way, it can usually be understood whether the itching is due to a dermatological disease or whether other causes need to be investigated. With itching due to a dermatological disease, it may sometimes be necessary to take a biopsy, carry out a fungal test or do an allergy test to support the diagnosis.

In dermatology, the itchiest diseases are scabies, urticaria, eczema, lichen planus and dermatitis herpetiformis.

What causes itching around the anus?
Excessive sweating, obesity, frequent bowel movements and inadequate cleaning after using the toilet cause itching around the anus. Eating a lot of spicy food can also increase itching. Medicines applied to the anal area, suppositories and tablets taken by mouth can cause itching. Many dermatological diseases such as eczema, fungal infection, erythrasma, psoriasis, lichen planus, seborrhoeic dermatitis, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and Paget's disease can cause a sensation of itching when they involve the anal area.
Haemorrhoids, anal fissure and anal prolapse are also causes of anal itching, so patients may also need to be assessed by a general surgeon. In patients presenting with anal itching, tests for diabetes and parasites should also be carried out. It will be helpful for people in whom no cause can be found to be assessed by a psychiatrist with regard to stress.

What causes itching of the scalp?
In patients with newly started severe itching of the scalp, lice and nits must always be looked for. Heavy dandruff also causes a sensation of itching. People with seborrhoeic dermatitis in particular often complain of long-lasting itching of the scalp. Shampoos, conditioners and dyes used on the hair can cause itching by triggering an allergy. Diabetes is also one of the causes of persistent scalp itching, so fasting blood sugar should be checked.

Itching can also be a symptom of certain dermatological diseases affecting the scalp (lichen planus, fungal infection, prurigo, neurodermatitis).

How can itching be treated?
The treatment of itching varies according to the cause. If the cause is a fungal infection, antifungal creams or tablets are used; if it is eczema, steroid-containing creams and anti-itch tablets; and if it is urticaria, anti-itch tablets and certain injections. If the problem is dry skin, moisturising creams and lotions should be used. Frequent bathing should be avoided as it increases skin dryness.

With itching due to internal diseases, the internal disease must be treated and certain anti-itch tablets used. In some patients, light therapy (phototherapy) can be helpful.