Allergies Itch Pills and Remedies to Stop Skin Symptoms Over-the-counter, prescription, and alternative solutions By Kristina Herndon, RN Updated on July 09, 2023 Medically reviewed by Corinne Savides Happel, MD Print Itch pills like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), a medication used to treat allergies, or natural remedies like colloidal oatmeal products, can relieve the irritation and frustration of itching from various causes. These causes include: Allergic reactions Skin irritation Illness The best way to stop the itch is to figure out what caused it. Then you can find the right treatment(s), whether a home remedy, an over-the-counter itch pill, or a prescription medication with other uses like the anti-anxiety drug Vistaril (hydroxyzine). This article will walk you through the causes of itchiness and how to relieve them with medication or home remedies. Where Are You Itching? Itchy face, eyes, nose. Getty Images Where you itch can offer clues to the cause. It can be in/on your: Eyes Nose Throat Face Skin Scalp A skin itch may be all over (generalized) or in one location (localized). LOCATION CAUSES SYMPTOMS Eyes Allergies (hay fever) Redness, stinging, watering Pink eye Burning, redness, tearing, blurred vision, swollen eyelids, crusty discharge Common cold Irritation, watering Contact lenses Irritation, infection Nose Allergies (hay fever) Sneezing, congestion, runny nose Common cold Sneezing, congestion, runny nose Throat Allergies (hay fever) Congestion, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath Food allergies Scratchiness, swelling, wheezing Common cold Cough, congestion, sore throat Asthma Cough, tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath Face Allergies (hay fever) General itch Dry skin General itch, flakiness Eczema Itchy, red rash, rough or scaly skin, small fluid-filled blisters, cracked skin, oozing, crusting Skin Allergic contact dermatitis Rash where allergen touches, local itch Dry skin General itch, flakiness Eczema Itchy, red rash, rough or scaly skin, small fluid-filled blisters, cracked skin, oozing, crusting Fungal infection Extremely itchy patches Rash Many types exist; may be general or local itch, blisters, discoloration Parasites Many types exist, usually a local itch Insect bites/stings Local itch, burning, bump(s) at the site Chickenpox Fluid-filled blisters that scab over;may cover the whole body How to Stop Vaginal Itching: 17 Home Remedies Causes Itchy nose. Getty Images Some common causes of itching include: The common cold Seasonal allergies Food allergies or medication allergies Rashes Eczema Dry skin Pregnancy Parasites (head lice, scabies) Insect bites and stings Contact with irritants (chemicals, poison ivy) Chronic spontaneous urticaria (frequent hives without a specific trigger) An itch in your genital area could be from several types of infections, from basic skin irritation to a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If you have trouble breathing, facial or tongue swelling, or vomiting accompanied by hives, get emergency medical attention. These are signs of anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Itch Pills (OTC and Prescribed) Allergy medication. BSIP/UIG/Getty Images Once you know what's causing the itch, you can figure out how to treat it. Medications that help relieve itching include: Antihistamines (allergy pills): These include Benadryl, Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), prescription Clarinex (desloratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine). Anti-itch creams: Topical corticosteroids may be helpful for small itchy areas. like those from bug bites. They also may relieve eczema symptoms. Antibiotics: Bacterial skin infections may require prescription antibiotics. Studies of over-the-counter drugs used to treat people with urticaria (an itchy rash known as hives) found certain products more effective than others in delivering symptom relief. The strongest over-the-counter itch pills included Xyzal (levocetirizine), but more research is needed. While many products are available over-the-counter, you may need a prescription for certain steroid creams and other products. If itching is caused by a medication you take, ask your healthcare provider about different options. In some cases, medications used to treat depression are used to deal with chronic itching. Antidepressants including Zoloft (sertraline) and Elavil (amitriptyline) have been studied as itch pills, but more research is needed to confirm their benefits. What Stops Itching at Night? Itching at night (called nocturnal pruritus) is commonly caused by dry skin, hormonal changes, and certain underlying health conditions or the medications used to treat them. Antihistamines, topical creams, and supplements work to relieve symptoms. So do lifestyle changes like improved hydration. Everything You Need to Know About Itchy Skin at Night Treating Itchiness Naturally (Without Medication) Lotion or moisturizer may help with itching skin. RunPhoto/Taxi Japan/Getty Images There are plenty of non-drug options as well. Many things can help soothe your itchy skin including: Cold compressesLukewarm bathsLotions or moisturizersMild soapOatmeal bath If you itch because of dry skin, moisturizing with a cream or petroleum-based moisturizer may bring relief. Things to avoid if you have itchy skin include: Irritating fabrics, especially wool and polyester High heat Humidity Long hot baths, which can dry your skin Bubble baths Powders Cornstarch Scratching It may be hard not to scratch. But that can irritate your skin more. It may also spread the problem and put you at risk of infection. For poison ivy, try calamine lotion, an oral antihistamine, or hydrocortisone cream. Lukewarm baths with colloidal oatmeal or a cup of baking soda can ease your itching. You also can try essential oils, like diluted peppermint oil, which can serve as a remedy for various causes of itchy skin. Causes of Itchy Skin and Treatment Options Summary Itches come from many causes. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications, including itch pills and creams, can relieve some types of itch. Home remedies can help, too. Speak to your healthcare provider about symptoms and treatment options. Avoid things that irritate your skin. Try not to scratch, and take the time to figure out the cause and the correct treatments. That's the best way to get relief. 15 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. What makes us itch? Rathi VM, Murthy SI. Allergic conjunctivitis. Community Eye Health. 2017;30(99):S7-S10. CDC. The difference between cold and flu. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Allergy symptoms. Kapur S, Watson W, Carr S. Atopic dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):52. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0281-6 CDC. Chickenpox (varicella): Signs and symptoms. Song J, Xian D, Yang L, Xiong X, Lai R, Zhong J. Pruritus: Progress toward pathogenesis and treatment. BioMed Research International. 2018;2018:1-12. doi:10.1155/2018/9625936 National Eczema Association. Over-the-counter treatments for eczema. Phinyo P, Koompawichit P, Nochaiwong S, Tovanabutra N, Chiewchanvit S, Chuamanochan M. Comparative Efficacy and Acceptability of Licensed Dose Second-Generation Antihistamines in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Network Meta-Analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Feb;9(2):956-970.e57. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2020.08.055. American Academy of Family Physicians. Topical Corticosteroids: Choice and Application. Cevikbas F, Lerner EA. Physiology and Pathophysiology of Itch. Physiol Rev. 2020 Jul 1;100(3):945-982. doi:10.1152/physrev.00017.2019 Kouwenhoven TA, van de Kerkhof PCM, Kamsteeg M. Use of oral antidepressants in patients with chronic pruritus: A systematic review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Dec;77(6):1068-1073.e7. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.08.025. National Eczema Foundation. Eczema and bathing. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac: How to treat the rash. Elsaie LT, Mohsen AME, Ibrahim IM, Mohey-Eddin MH, Elsaie ML. Effectiveness of topical peppermint oil on symptomatic treatment of chronic pruritus. CCID. 2016;9:333-338. doi:10.2147/CCID.S116995 Additional Reading American Academy of Family Physicians. Pruritis. National Cancer Institute. Pruritis (PDQ). National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Itching. By Kristina Herndon, RN Kristina Herndon, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies