When there is no other obvious cause like a rash, itching is usually a result of dry skin. This is especially so in older people.
It is important to identify any underlying cause, such as another medical condition so it can be treated properly. Your doctor or nurse practitioner will investigate what is causing your itch and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Several things could be causing your itch. They include:
The main aim when treating your itch is to identify and remove or treat the cause. But sometimes this is not possible.
There are some other things that might help.
Your doctor might also prescribe you medication to help reduce the itch, such as an antihistamine.
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public
Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Cough in palliative care, retrieved December 2016.
Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Dyspnoea in palliative care, retrieved December 2016.
Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Pruritus (itch) in palliative care, retrieved December 2016.
Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Weakness and fatigue in palliative care, retrieved December 2016.
Canterbury DHB – Palliative care guidelines (http://cdhb.palliativecare.org.nz/4207.htm), retrieved August 2016.
Nurse Maude – Symptom management, retrieved December 2016.
Palliative Care Australia – Facts about morphine and other opioid medicines in palliative care, retrieved February 2017.
Palliative Care Australia – Learn more about pain and pain management, retrieved February 2017.
South Island Alliance – Health of older people useful resources (https://www.sialliance.health.nz/programmes/health-of-older-people/useful-resources/), retrieved September 2022.
UpToDate – Managing pain when you have cancer, retrieved February 2017.
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