The strongest medicine to stop itching are antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which can help ease some type of long term itching.
Antihistamines or allergy pills can also be taken to stop itching which include Benadryl, Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), prescription Clarinex (desloratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine).
You can also apply some menthol to the itch to ease the itching.
To stop itching immediately apply some menthol or calamine lotion or try applying a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin for around 10 minutes until the itch goes away.
Applying some lotion and moisturizer to the skin and taking and oatmeal bath can also help stop itching.
You should be worried about itching if the itching is severe, does not go away, comes back often or you also have any swelling or fever along with the itching or itching is severe, does not go away after a few weeks, or does not have an apparent cause.
The disease that starts with itching is liver disease although other disease can also cause itching which include kidney disease, certain cancers, thyroid problems, diabetes and anemia.
A few autoimmune diseases that commonly cause itching include psoriasis (which causes a rapid build-up of skin cells), primary biliary cholangitis (formerly called primary biliary cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease), and vitiligo (which causes skin pigment loss).
A rare itching disease is also known as prurigo nodularis.
People with prurigo nodularis report itching that is so intense it disrupts sleep and prompts so much scratching that the skin begins to bleed.
Most cases of itching are nothing to worry about and usually go away on their own but you should contact your doctor if your itching is severe, does not go away after a few weeks, or does not have an apparent cause.
You may need other treatments, such as medicines or light therapy.
If you have an underlying disease that is causing the itching, treating that disease may help.
Chronic itch is a common yet hard-to-treat symptom of many inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis.
The urge to constantly scratch can seriously impair a person's quality of life and lead to permanent skin damage.
To find an effective treatment, scientists need to better understand how chronic itch develops.