Itch : (noun)
1: a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite;
characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation;
"he has a bad case of the itch" [syn: scabies]
2: a strong restless desire; "why this urge to travel?" [syn: urge]
3: an irritating cutaneous sensation that produces a desire to
scratch [syn: itchiness, itching]
(verb)
1: scrape or rub as if to relieve itching; "Don't scratch your
insect bites!" [syn: rub, scratch]
2: have or perceive an itch; "I'm itching--the air is so dry!"
3: have a strong desire or urge to do something; "She is
itching to start the project"; "He is spoiling for a
fight" [syn: spoil]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Itch : \Itch\, n.
1. (Med.) An eruption of small, isolated, acuminated
vesicles, produced by the entrance of a parasitic mite
(the Sarcoptes scabei), and attended with itching. It is
transmissible by contact.
2. Any itching eruption.
3. A sensation in the skin occasioned (or resembling that
occasioned) by the itch eruption; -- called also
scabies, psora, etc.
4. A constant irritating desire.
An itch of being thought a divine king. --Dryden.
Baker's itch. See under Baker.
Barber's itch, sycosis.
Bricklayer's itch, an eczema of the hands attended with
much itching, occurring among bricklayers.
Grocer's itch, an itching eruption, being a variety of
eczema, produced by the sugar mite ({Tyrogluphus
sacchari).
Itch insect (Zo["o]l.), a small parasitic mite ({Sarcoptes
scabei) which burrows and breeds beneath the human skin,
thus causing the disease known as the itch. See Illust. in
Append.
Itch mite. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Itch insect, above. Also,
other similar mites affecting the lower animals, as the
horse and ox.
Sugar baker's itch, a variety of eczema, due to the action
of sugar upon the skin.
Washerwoman's itch, eczema of the hands and arms, occurring
among washerwomen.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Itch : \Itch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Itched; p. pr. & vb. n.
Itching.] [OE. icchen, ?icchen, AS. giccan; akin to D.
jeuken, joken, G. jucken, OHG. jucchen.]
1. To have an uneasy sensation in the skin, which inclines
the person to scratch the part affected.
My mouth hath itched all this long day. --Chaucer.
2. To have a constant desire or teasing uneasiness; to long
for; as, itching ears. ``An itching palm.'' --Shak.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Itch : Itch is a common problem. Itches can be localized (limited to one area of the body) or generalized (in which itching occurs all over the body or in several different areas). Generalized itch, for
obvious reasons, is more difficult to treat. Itches can also occur with or without skin lesions (e.g., bumps or blisters). An itch that is accompanied by lesions usually should be evaluated by a
physician and, in some cases, by a scabies , etc). This article is limited to itch that is not associated with skin lesions.
Itch accompanies many conditions. Probably the most common cause of itch is psychological, that is, due to stress, polycythemia vera ). Most people who itch, however, do not have a serious
underlying condition.
Itching usually prompts scratching, which can sometimes lead to a vicious itch-scratch cycle. Scratching can initially feel so satisfying - but prolonged scratching just leaves you with irritated
skin that can still itch! Since scratching provides only temporary relief and doesn't promote healing of the underlying problem, it is best to avoid scratching if at all possible. If scratching breaks
open the skin, bacterial infection can set in. And if scratching continues for many months or years, the area that is scratched may develop thickened skin ( lichenification ) or pigmentation that
darkens the area.
The best way to allow irritated skin to heal is to stop scratching it. However, will-power often is not enough since the urge to itch can be compelling. Here are some general measures to help
control itch, regardless of the cause.
What are topical (external) itch treatments?
Cold applications: Because cold and itch travel along the same nerve fibers, the use of cold can "jam the circuits" and deaden itch. Methods of applying cold include: - Cool water, either by
running tap water over the affected area or placing a cold clean washcloth on the skin.
- Cool showers.
- Ice packs, either the kind you buy or ice cubes in a plastic baggie.
Hot water (in the shower, for instance) feels good temporarily, but it often leaves you feeling itchier later. Therefore, the use of hot water is not recommended.
Anti-itch creams and lotions: Look for over-the-counter (OTC) remedies with these ingredients: - camphor
- menthol
- phenol
- pramoxine
- diphenhydramine
- benzocaine (or one
of the other "caine" anesthetics)
You can apply these products over and over -- every few minutes if needed. These preparations help numb the nerve endings and stop you from a frenzy of scratching, which leaves the skin raw, sore,
and even itchier.
Although hydrocortisone-containing creams and lotions are often promoted as itch-reducers, this ingredient only helps an itch that is caused by a rash responsive to { seborrhea . Since OTC
hydrocortisone-containing creams and lotions are weak (even so-called "maximum-strength" products are only 1%), they aren't too helpful for itch even in responsive conditions. When itch is caused by
irritations of other sorts (insect bites, for instance), hydrocortisone doesn't help much at all. If you use hydrocortisone for 10 days and experience no improvement, you should see a physician to help
determine the cause of your itch.
Oral itch treatments
Traditionally, antihistamines are used to treat itch. The most popular ones are: - diphenhydramine (25 milligrams, 1-3 times a day)
- chlorpheniramine (4 milligrams, 1-3 times a
day)
These medicines can induce drowsiness in many people and must be used with care before driving a car or operating heavy machinery. Although antihistamines may help itch, they seem to do so mainly by
helping people fall asleep. (Staying up all night scratching makes you edgy and itchier all the next day.) If falling or staying asleep is not your main problem, you're probably better off with a
topical treatment.
When should the doctor be consulted for itch?
If home treatment isn't helping, or you notice that scratching is affecting the skin being scratched (infection, lichenification, or pigmentation), or the itch is disturbing your sleep , you
should consult a doctor to ascertain why you're itching (sometimes, the problem really is more than skin deep). A doctor can also prescribe stronger cortisone-based creams (for eczemas and allergies)
and prescription-grade antihistamines, if necessary, or treat the underlying condition that is causing the itch.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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