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What is Anti-Itch Cream?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Anti-itch cream comes in numerous types. Some of these are available by prescription only and are usually have stronger ingredients than over the counter forms. Others have natural ingredients, which may be preferred by some people. The majority of over the counter anti-itch cream types contain one of three active types of ingredients: antihistamine, benzocaine, or topical steroids.

Products containing antihistamines usually have diphenhydramine, known by the commercial name Benadryl®. For allergic itching, especially to things like bug bites or poison oak rashes, diphenhydramine may be an appropriate cream. It may not totally work on other types of itching, such as that due to dry skin and some doctors caution that it shouldn’t be used if an oral antihistamine is taken at the same time. This could result in overdose of an antihistamine. Some people are also sensitive to diphenhydramine or become sensitized to it if they overuse it.

An anti-itch cream.
An anti-itch cream.

An anti-itch cream with benzocaine tends to make skin numb, but in some cases it can irritate itchy skin. It may work in limited use but isn’t recommended for long-term use. Sometimes benzocaine is combined with other ingredients like a topical steroid to reduce inflammation and to address immediate pain at the same time. Such products may boast that they are anti-itch and pain-relieving. Itches caused by mild burns may be effectively treated for a short time with benzocaine because of its pain-relieving component.

The aloe vera plant can be used to treat skin itching and inflammation.
The aloe vera plant can be used to treat skin itching and inflammation.

Doctors tend to recommend topical steroids like hydrocortisone for most minor problems with skin itching. They are absorbed in the skin and generally aren't used over large areas of the body. However, they do help address inflammation of the skin, which can aggravate skin itching, and they may be quite effective for localized itching. Follow guidelines on any anti-itching cream that contains a topical steroid, and consult a physician if questions exist about use for longer periods of time or over large areas of skin.

Anti-itch cream may be applied to a person's hands.
Anti-itch cream may be applied to a person's hands.

Many turn to natural products available in some anti-itch cream or lotions. Oatmeal has anti-itching properties and because it doesn’t pose health risks in most cases, it can be a good choice to treat things like chicken pox, or large rashes from poison oak and poison ivy. Aloe vera has some anti-itch properties too. Another common anti-itch cream ingredient is calamine, a mix of zinc and iron.

Topical steroids are often recommended for skin itches.
Topical steroids are often recommended for skin itches.

When looking for a natural cream, verify by reading labels that those with natural ingredients don’t have the more chemically produced ingredients too. Some anti-itch cream manufactures place aloe vera in topical steroid or benzocaine ointments. Calamine lotion is often combined with diphenhydramine in products like Caladryl®.

Long standing itching can result from many conditions and it may be best to consult a doctor about itching that is problematic, especially if cause can’t be easily identified. Sometimes people need prescription strength anti-itch cream instead, and others, like those with contact dermatitis, might require oral medications to end itching. If itching seems unresolved by over the counter creams, check with a doctor, preferably a dermatologist, to find out what other treatments are advised or available.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

galen84basc

What is a good psoriasis anti itch cream for children? My granddaughter is developing what we're pretty sure is psoriasis, and I have no idea what to get for her.

We've tried a lot of OTC anti itch creams, but none of them seem to work for long, so I thought it might be better to try something stronger, like a psoriasis cream.

Does anybody know of any good ones? It seems like there's a thousand down at the drug store, and I have no idea how to go about buying a psoriasis cream -- oatmeal baths are about as far as my dermatology knowledge goes!

lightning88

What is the best anti-itch cream to use during pregnancy? I know that some rash creams, especially the stronger eczema creams, are not approved for use during pregnancy.

However, my sister-in-law is about 5 months pregnant, and she's getting the weirdest rash that itches like crazy.

She's tried that Gold Bond anti itch cream, but she says it doesn't work really well for her.

Does anybody know of a good, yet strong anti itch cream that is pregnancy safe? I know we would both really appreciate it!

pharmchick78

Great article -- so many people think that a generic anti-itch cream will just knock out whatever kind of thing they've got going on with their skin, and it simply doesn't work that way.

This is particularly true for people trying to treat bacterial infections with viral infection creams and vice versa. The same thing happens with people trying to use an antifungal cream for itch relief -- it's just not going to work.

I'm glad that you took the time to point out to people that they can't just use any OTC anti itch cream they have whenever they have a skin condition and expect to get the best results

Very well written.

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    • An anti-itch cream.
      By: Coprid
      An anti-itch cream.
    • The aloe vera plant can be used to treat skin itching and inflammation.
      By: cedrov
      The aloe vera plant can be used to treat skin itching and inflammation.
    • Anti-itch cream may be applied to a person's hands.
      By: Africa Studio
      Anti-itch cream may be applied to a person's hands.
    • Topical steroids are often recommended for skin itches.
      By: ampyang
      Topical steroids are often recommended for skin itches.
    • Anti-itch creams often helps sooth the skin when broken out in chicken pox.
      By: Dan Race
      Anti-itch creams often helps sooth the skin when broken out in chicken pox.
    • A doctor should be consulted for persistent or unexplained itching.
      By: Shakzu
      A doctor should be consulted for persistent or unexplained itching.
    • Anti-itch cream may be used to help with mosquito bites.
      By: teptong
      Anti-itch cream may be used to help with mosquito bites.
    • Some anti-itch creams are available by prescription only.
      By: jedi-master
      Some anti-itch creams are available by prescription only.
    • Anti-itch cream containing topical steroids can be used to treat poison ivy rashes.
      By: librakv
      Anti-itch cream containing topical steroids can be used to treat poison ivy rashes.