Home Symptoms Itching

Itching — what to take?

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

5 recommended OTC drugs
4,387 pharmacies available

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for itching

Informativ. Nu înlocuiește sfatul medicului. Consultă medicul sau farmacistul înainte de a lua orice medicament.

Common causes

Xerosis (dry skin), atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, urticaria, scabies, fungal infections (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 flares.

Calamine, menthol 1% - immediate soothing effect.

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

What to avoid

  • Long and hot showers (dry out the skin).
  • Aggressive perfumed soaps - use dermocosmetic cleansers.
  • Scratching (worsens, may cause infection).
  • Wool directly on the skin, strong detergents.

When to see a doctor

Persistent generalised itching beyond 4-6 weeks, with weight loss, night sweats, jaundice, oedema - require evaluation for systemic causes.

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

Nights, weekends, holidays

24/7 pharmacies for itching

Itching doesn't wait for office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 AM or on a weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter on and find the nearest on-call pharmacy. Major cities have several round-the-clock pharmacies — the per-city pages below list them all, with address, phone and verified opening hours.

Call ahead before you leave, especially at night — on-call schedules can change and stock for some prescription items may 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 grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For itching most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for itching runs over weeks.

When to see a doctor

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

  • Persistent generalised itching
  • Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
  • Weight loss, fever
  • Weeping lesions
  • Rapid spreading, swelling

Frequently asked

Common questions

What can I apply for quick relief of itching?
Cold compress, calamine or menthol lotion, 1% hydrocortisone cream. Oral antihistamine if it is allergy.
Why does my skin itch in winter?
Dry air + heat + hot showers = xerosis (dry skin). Moisturise twice a 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 persistent - investigations.
Is hydrocortisone dangerous?
Short-term (1-2 weeks) it is safe. Chronic use on extensive areas -> skin atrophy, telangiectasia. Do not apply on the face for more than 3-5 days.

See also

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