# Why no oral anti-itch medications? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 12, 2021, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718 "2021-02-12T01:52:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/1 "2021-02-12T01:52:36Z")
We have so many pain pills that travel throughout the body and alleviate pain in multiple locations. Why don’t we have similar pills for itching? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/2 "2021-02-12T02:03:13Z")
Depends on the type of itching. Allergies make me itchy and I take Benadryl for that. Sometimes itching is a result of an anxiety disorder and there are oral medications for that. I think some pain medications can reduce the level of itchiness also. If you are just itching because your skin is very dry then I don’t know what an oral medication could do about that. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/3 "2021-02-12T02:38:33Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > If you are just itching because your skin is very dry then I don’t know what an oral medication could do about that. I’m sure an oral medication could affect the brain in such a way that you don’t perceive the itching sensation, but that seems like major overkill for a simple itch, and would leave the underlying cause untreated. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/4 "2021-02-12T02:50:36Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > would leave the underlying cause untreated. And yet nobody seems to worry about this when they take pain medication. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/5 "2021-02-12T02:53:20Z")
Several oral medicines help with itching. There are several antihistamines which help with mild itch, or a short course of steroid tablets for itching which is both widespread and severe. Even Gravol might help with itch. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/6 "2021-02-12T03:22:31Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > And yet nobody seems to worry about this when they take pain medication Depending on the underlying cause, there may not BE a treatment; or treatment may have already been done by the pain remains. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/7 "2021-02-12T03:36:17Z")
Never heard of antihistamines? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/8 "2021-02-12T13:43:34Z")
Leukotriene inhibitors like montelukast can also be used for certain types of chronic urticaria/itch. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/9 "2021-02-12T13:51:00Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > I’m sure an oral medication could affect the brain in such a way that you don’t perceive the itching sensation, but that seems like major overkill for a simple itch, and would leave the underlying cause untreated Right. Although sometimes you can’t do anything about the underlying problem. I know a doctor who treats patients with _Delusional parasitosis_, they believe little bugs and things are crawling on or in their skin. Morgellan’s disease is a form of this based on mysterious fibers. He tells me that anti-anxiety medications eliminate the itching and scratching for these patients, but they consistently report that the bugs haven’t gone away, they’re just not bothered by them anymore. But what would be the best approach for treating a skin disorder? Taking some medication internally that affects the brain, or needs to pass through the body and out to the skin, or just some topical ointment? I’ll go with the ointment. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/10 "2021-02-12T14:10:23Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > But what would be the best approach for treating a skin disorder? Taking some medication internally that affects the brain, or needs to pass through the body and out to the skin, or just some topical ointment? I’ll go with the ointment When the skin condition is widespread, using oral meds can be a much easier and effective way to get the active ingredient to all the affected tissue. Otherwise the patient may need to jump into a vat of the topical treatment. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/11 "2021-02-12T15:17:16Z")
Sure, that makes sense. I’ve felt that need myself at times. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/12 "2021-02-12T16:56:48Z")
There’s also itching caused by neuropathy. No topical treatment can alleviate that. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/13 "2021-02-12T17:30:44Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > There’s also itching caused by neuropathy. No topical treatment can alleviate that. Untrue. One first line treatment is capsaicin cream, 0.1% 4 times a day. I’ve got a number of folks getting good relief with it. Just don’t touch your eyes, mouth, or groin after applying the cream ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/14 "2021-02-12T22:29:14Z")
And folks should worry about this: for minor fever, for example, taking acetaminophen to lower it can lengthen the illness. The body is raising its temperature for a reason: it’s trying to kill the pathogen. Fighting that isn’t necessarily a good thing… ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/15 "2021-02-12T22:46:17Z")
> [@phs3](#): > > And folks should worry about this: for minor fever, for example, taking acetaminophen to lower it can lengthen the illness. The body is raising its temperature for a reason: it’s trying to kill the pathogen. Fighting that isn’t necessarily a good thing… Got a cite for that? It runs contrary to current medical recommendations. I tell my patients to **not** worry about that. There’s little evidence that elevated temperature plays a significant role in helping a person get over illness (one rare exception: syphilis. Before antibiotics, syphilitics were infected with malaria with the hopes that the 104+ fevers would kill the syphilis spirochete. There are a few other rare situations where observing the fever pattern can aid in diagnosis). The vast majority of fevers are associated with self-limited infections, most commonly of a viral origin, where the cause of the fever is easily identified. If the fever/headaches/chills/body aches are making you miserable, take tylenol or NSAIDs without fear, unless you get bad side effects with them. ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/16 "2021-02-12T23:30:08Z")
I should have been more circumspect. “I’ve read theories…” However, this: > **[If Fever Helps Fight Infection, Should I Avoid Fever-Reducing Drugs?...](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/11/well/live/fever-infection-drugs-tylenol-acetaminophen-ibuprofen-advil-aspirin.html)** > > The best evidence suggests that there is neither harm nor benefit to treating a fever with fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. rebuts it, as do you. My thinking was that it likely didn’t matter much. Given that this IS why we get a fever, it’s certainly plausible that in some cases it might slightly delay recovery from a minor malady, but as the article (and you) suggest, it’s hard or impossible to prove. I would delete this post but that seems…weaselly. Thanks for calling me out (so politely, too). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/17 "2021-02-12T23:36:35Z")
Glad we’re ultimately of like mind. I’d heard those same hypotheses about fever in the past, and while interesting, it’s all just speculation. Of course that doesn’t prevent misleading headlines getting posted and stirring the pot. When I was in med school I was fascinated to learn about the old Malaria wards at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where they tried to cure the advanced syphilitics with fever. So fever does indeed have uses. Tho I think penicillin is easier to prescribe than malaria mosquitos. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/18 "2021-02-13T00:01:53Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Before antibiotics, syphilitics were infected with malaria with the hopes that the 104+ fevers would kill the syphilis spirochete. I am so thankful for modern medicine. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/19 "2021-02-13T11:25:25Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > When I was in med school I was fascinated to learn about the old Malaria wards at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where they tried to cure the advanced syphilitics with fever. Just curious about this – if it’s the actual elevated core temperature that they wanted, couldn’t they do that with blankets and heat, and not add another serious disease to the mix? Or is there some other desired element to fever besides the temperature itself? And, yes, more modern medicines are something to be thankful for! ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718/20 "2021-02-13T11:57:41Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Otherwise the patient may need to jump into a vat of the topical treatment That’s pretty much what I had to do for chickenpox. Well, a bath anyway. “Pinotarsil” I remember the brand name as being. Smelt utterly foul, but better than clawing my skin off [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-oral-anti-itch-medications/932718.md?page=2)