Antipruritic

[edit] Common antipruritics

Topical antipruritics in the form of creams and sprays are often available over-the-counter. Oral anti-itch drugs also exist and are usually prescription drugs. The active ingredients usually belong to the following classes:

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone topical cream
Local anesthetics such as benzocaine topical cream (Lanacaine)
Counterirritants, such as mint oil, menthol, or camphor^[1]
Calamine lotion, containing zinc oxide and iron(III) oxide, is a traditional remedy for mild itching, such as that typically associated with chicken pox - although the USA's Food and Drug Administration has asserted that it has little if any effect.^[2]^[3]

Burow's solution (aluminium acetate)
Olive oil
Jewelweed, has been shown to be devoid of any anti-itch activity in several controlled studies ^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) comprise a class of medicines commonly used for depression, and are also said to be effective in controlling pruritus in a small number of refractory cases.^[8]

Cooling with ice or cold water(usually stops the itch for as long as the ice or cold water is applied)^{[citation needed]}
Heating
Slightly painful stimulation like rubbing, slapping or scratching, based on a spinal antagonism between pain- and itch-processing neurons^{[citation needed]}

^ Hercogová J (2005). "Topical anti-itch therapy". Dermatologic therapy 18 (4): 341-3. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2005.00033.x. PMID 16297007.
^ American Topics. An Outdated Notion, That Calamine Lotion. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
^ Appel, L.M. Ohmart and R.F. Sterner, Zinc oxide: A new, pink, refractive microform crystal. AMA Arch Dermatol 73 (1956), pp. 316–324. PMID 13301048
^ D. Long, N. H. Ballentine, J. G. Marks. Treatment of poison ivy/oak allergic contact dermatitis with an extract of jewelweed. Am. J. Contact. Dermat. 8(3):150-3 1997 PMID 9249283
^ M. R. Gibson, F. T. Maher. Activity of jewelweed and its enzymes in the treatment of Rhus dermatitis. J. Am. Pharm. Assoc. Am. Pharm. Assoc. 39(5):294-6 1950 PMID 15421925
^ J. D. Guin, R. Reynolds. Jewelweed treatment of poison ivy dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 6(4):287-8 1980 PMID 6447037
^ Zink, B. J.; Otten, E.J.; Rosenthal, M.; Singal, B (1991). "[The Effect Of Jewel Weed In Preventing Poison Ivy Dermatitis". Journal of Wilderness Medicine 2 (3): 178–182.
^ Lee CS, Koo J (2005). "Psychopharmacologic therapies in dermatology: an update". Dermatologic clinics 23 (4): 735-44. doi:10.1016/j.det.2005.05.015. PMID 16112451.

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v • d • e Major drug groups

Gastrointestinal tract (A)	Antacids • Antiemetics • H₂ antagonists • Proton pump inhibitors • Laxatives • Antidiarrhoeals

Blood and blood forming organs (B)	Anticoagulants • Antihemorrhagics • Antiplatelets • Thrombolytics

Cardiovascular system (C)	Antiarrhythmics • Antihypertensives • Diuretics • Vasodilators • Antianginals • Beta blockers • Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors • Antihyperlipidemics

Skin (D)	Emollients - Antipruritics

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Endocrine system (H)	Anti-diabetics • Corticosteroids • Sex hormones • Thyroid hormones

Infections and infestations (J, P)	Antibiotics • Antivirals • Vaccines • Antifungals • Antiprotozoals • Anthelmintics

Malignant and immune disease (L)	Anticancer agents • Immunostimulators • Immunosuppressants

Muscles, bones, and joints (M)	Anabolic steroids • Anti-inflammatories • Antirheumatics • Corticosteroids • Muscle relaxants

Brain and nervous system (N)	Anesthetics • Analgesics • Anticonvulsants • Mood stabilizers • Anxiolytics • Antipsychotics • Antidepressants • Nervous system stimulants • Sedatives

Respiratory system (R)	Bronchodilators • Decongestants • H₁ antagonists

v • d • e Antipruritics (D04)

Antihistamines for topical use	Thonzylamine - Mepyramine - Thenalidine - Tripelennamine - Chloropyramine - Promethazine - Tolpropamine - Dimetindene - Clemastine - Bamipine - Isothipendyl - Diphenhydramine - Chlorphenoxamine

Anesthetics for topical use	Lidocaine - Cinchocaine - Oxybuprocaine - Benzocaine - Quinisocaine - Tetracaine - Pramocaine