Itching (pruritus)

L29.0-3/L29.8-9

• Description
• General Measures
• Medicine Treatment
• Referral

DESCRIPTION

Itching may be:

• localised or generalised
• accompanied by obvious skin lesions or skin conditions e.g. chicken pox
• accompanied by many systemic diseases, e.g. hepatitis
• caused by scabies and insect bites

GENERAL MEASURES

• Trim fingernails.
• Avoid scratching.

MEDICINE TREATMENT

Diagnose and treat the underlying condition.

• Calamine lotion, apply when needed.

For pruritis associated with dry skin:

• Emollient, e.g.
• Emulsifying ointment (UE).

Severe pruritus:

For short term use :

Children

• Chlorphenamine, oral, 0.1 mg/kg/dose 6–8 hourly. See paediatric dosing tool.

Adults

• Chlorphenamine, oral, 4 mg, 6–8 hourly.

Note: Chlorphenamine is sedating and in mild cases may be used only at night.

For long term use e.g. for chronic pruritus:

Children: 2–6 years of age

• Cetirizine, oral, 5 mg once daily. See paediatric dosing tool.

Children > 6 years of age and adults

• Cetirizine, oral, 10 mg once daily.

CAUTION

Do not give an antihistamine to children < 2 years of age.

REFERRAL

• No improvement after 2 weeks.
• Underlying malignancy or systemic disease suspected.