Home Symptoms Itching

Itching — what to take?

Itching (pruritus) is one of the most common dermatological problems. Causes: dry skin, allergies, dermatitis, systemic diseases (thyroid, liver, kidney).

Also known as: pruritus my skin itches skin irritation
5 recommended OTC medicines
8,928 pharmacies available

In short: Itching (pruritus) most often comes from dry skin, allergies or dermatitis, but it can sometimes signal a systemic cause (thyroid, liver, kidneys). For relief, common OTC options include emollients and urea cream for hydration, calamine lotion or hydrocortisone for the irritated area, and an antihistamine such as cetirizine when the itch is allergic. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the prices of these products across Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet, with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; see a doctor if generalized itching persists or jaundice appears.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What can you take for itching?

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, see a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Persistent generalized itching
  • Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
  • Weight loss, fever
  • Lesions that ooze
  • Rapid spread, edema

Common causes

Xerosis (dry skin), atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, urticaria, scabies, fungi (mycoses), drug reactions, cholestatic diseases, chronic kidney failure, lymphomas, diabetes.

OTC treatment

Oral antihistamines — cetirizine, loratadine, bilastine for allergic causes.

Emollients — Cetaphil, CeraVe, Avène, Bioderma, La Roche-Posay. Applied 2-3 times/day, they maintain the skin barrier.

Hydrocortisone 0.5-1% — topical cream for local inflammatory lesions. Maximum 1-2 weeks during flare-up periods.

Calamine, menthol 1% — immediate soothing effect.

Urea 5-10% creams — for very dry skin.

What to avoid

  • Long, hot showers (they dry out the skin).
  • Harsh fragranced soaps — use gentle dermatocosmetic products.
  • Scratching (worsens it, can cause infection).
  • Wool directly on the skin, strong detergents.

When to see a doctor

Generalized itching persisting beyond 4-6 weeks, with weight loss, night sweats, jaundice, edema — these require evaluation for systemic causes.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a health professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for itching

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Night-time, weekends, public holidays

24/7 pharmacies for itching

Itching doesn't keep office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 a.m. or at the weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter switched on and look for the nearest on-duty pharmacy. Large cities have dozens of pharmacies open around the clock — below you have direct access to the list for each city, with address, phone number and verified opening hours.

Call before you set off, especially at night — on-duty rotas change and stock of some prescription medicines can be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for itching

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for itching

Open the interactive map and allow location access — you will immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it is night or the weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-duty ones. For itching many medicines are available over the counter, so you can go straight to the pharmacy without a prescription, but check availability on the price comparator first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active substance (for example paracetamol or ibuprofen), search for it in the comparator before you leave — you will see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it is in stock. If you have a repeat prescription, save your preferred pharmacy as a favourite in the app and turn on opening-hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially if treatment for itching goes on for a while.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Urticaria (Hives)

Urticaria = a rash of erythematous, itchy, migratory plaques that appear and disappear within hours. Acute (under 6 weeks) or chronic (over 6 weeks).

 Symptom

Allergy

An allergy is an exaggerated immune response to substances that are normally harmless (pollen, dust, food, medications). It presents with itching, hives, rhinitis, asthma, anaphylaxis.

 Symptom

Dry skin

Dry skin (xerosis) loses water and lipids, becoming rough, flaky, sometimes itchy, with a tendency toward eczema. Causes: winter, ageing, hot showers, genetics, illness.

 Condition

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with itching, dryness and recurrent eczema. It develops in the context of the atopic triad (asthma, allergic rhinitis). Onset is frequently in childhood.

 Condition

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with erythematous-squamous plaques and keratinocyte hyperproliferation, associated with systemic comorbidities (arthritis, metabolic syndrome, depression).

 Condition

Eczema

Eczema (dermatitis) = skin inflammation with erythema, itching, blisters or scales. Forms: atopic, contact (irritant or allergic), seborrheic, nummular, dyshidrotic, stasis.

Frequently asked questions

What else would you like to know?

What can I apply to itching quickly?
A cold compress, calamine or menthol lotion, hydrocortisone 1% cream. An oral antihistamine if it is an allergy.
Why does my skin itch in winter?
Dry air + heating + warm showers = xerosis (dry skin). Moisturize 2x/day with a thick emollient, avoid hot showers.
Itching without lesions — what is it?
Pruritus sine materia. Causes: dry skin, allergies, systemic diseases (thyroid, liver). If it persists — investigations.
Is hydrocortisone dangerous?
Short-term (1-2 weeks) it is safe. Chronic use on extensive areas → skin atrophy, telangiectasias. Do not apply to the face for more than 3-5 days.

See also

Need a medicine now?

Find the nearest pharmacy
— with prices and stock.

Open the map →