Itching in palliative care
Pruritus is the medical term for itchy skin, which can be unpleasant and annoying.
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's important to identify any underlying cause, such as another medical condition so it can be treated properly. Visit your doctor, who will investigate what is causing your itch and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Causes of itching
Several things could be causing your itch. They include:
- an allergy to a medicine
- a side effect to medicine, for example, morphine
- liver problems
- kidney problems
- certain cancers – for example lymphoma, especially non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- scabies infection
- eczema (dermatitis).
Treating itching
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.
- Wear loose clothing and opt for natural fibres such as cotton.
- Take a cool shower when the itch is bad.
- Avoid washing with soap – use soap substitutes such as aqueous cream or Pinetarsol.
- Keep your skin moist by using moisturisers such as DP lotion, fatty cream or non-ionic cream. You can get a prescription for these from your doctor.
- Use bath oil in your bath to moisturise your skin.
Your doctor might also prescribe you medication to help reduce the itch, such as an antihistamine.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by Canterbury DHB and community palliative care specialists. Last reviewed November 2020.
Sources
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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Page reference: 350388
Review key: HIPAL-17434
