What does itching mean, and when should you see a doctor?

The most common cause of itching is dry skin. It increases especially in autumn and winter, after a hot shower.

Skin conditions such as eczema, hives, fungal infections and scabies also cause itching. In these cases there is usually redness, raised areas or a rash alongside.

Widespread itching that carries on with no findings on the skin is sometimes a sign of another problem. Iron deficiency, thyroid, kidney and liver diseases are counted among these.

In the following situations, you need assessment without waiting:

• The itching lasts longer than two weeks.
• It is bad enough to interrupt your sleep.
• It has spread over the whole body, or more than one person at home has it.
• It comes with weight loss, fever or night sweats.

Itching that starts together with swelling of the lips or eyelids, or with shortness of breath, is an emergency. In this case you do not wait; you go to an emergency department.

Home methods such as lemon, vinegar or cologne irritate itchy skin and can make the picture worse. Scratching also damages the skin and keeps the itch going.

The first department to go to for itching is dermatology. If there are no findings on the skin, the doctor requests the necessary tests.