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; see topical steroid
Counterirritants, such as mint oil, menthol, or camphor
Crotamiton (trade name Eurax) is an antipruritic agent available as a cream or lotion, often used to treat scabies. Its mechanism of action remains unknown. Local anesthetics, such as benzocaine topical cream (Lanacane)Phototherapy is helpful for severe itching, especially if caused by kidney failure. The common type of light used is UVB.Sometimes scratching relieves isolated itches, hence the existence of devices such as the back scratcher. Often, however, scratching only offers temporary relief and can intensify itching, even causing further damage to the skin, dubbed the "itch-scratch cycle".The mainstay of therapy for dry skin is maintaining adequate skin moisture and topical emollients. No studies have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of emollient creams, cooling lotions, topical corticosteroids, topical antidepressants, systemic antihistamines, systemic antidepressants, systemic anticonvulsants, and phototherapy on chronic itchiness of unknown origin. The effectiveness of therapeutic options for people who are terminally ill with malignant cancer is not known. History
In 1660, German physician Samuel Hafenreffer introduced the definition of pruritus (itch). Epidemiology
Approximately 280 million people globally, 4% of the population, have difficulty with itchiness. This is comparable to the 2–3% of the population who have psoriasis. See also
Feeling, a perceptual state of conscious experience.
Monocytosis is an increase in the number of monocytes circulating in the blood. Monocytes are white blood cells that give rise to macrophages and dendritic cells in the immune system. In humans, monocytosis occurs when there is a sustained rise in monocyte counts greater than 800/mm3 to 1000/mm3.Monocytosis has sometimes been called mononucleosis, but that name is usually reserved specifically for infectious mononucleosis. Causes
Monocytosis often occurs during chronic inflammation. Diseases that produce such a chronic inflammatory state:
Infections: tuberculosis, brucellosis, listeriosis, subacute bacterial endocarditis, syphilis, and other viral infections and many protozoal and rickettsial infections (e.g. kala azar, malaria, Rocky Mountain spotted fever). Blood and immune causes: chronic neutropenia and myeloproliferative disorders. Autoimmune diseases and vasculitis: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Malignancies: Hodgkins disease and certain leukaemias, such as chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) and monocytic leukemia. Recovery phase of neutropenia or an acute infection. Obesity (cf. Nagareddy et al. (2014), Cell Metabolism, Vol. 19, pp 821–835)
Miscellaneous causes: sarcoidosis, lipid storage disease and ZNFX1 deficiency.During these stages of extreme inflammation, monocytosis can damage tissues because it increases the activation of the immune response and prevents the inflammation from subsiding which is seen in cases where sepsis occurs. Diagnosis
Blood Test (CBC) (Normal range of Monocytes: 1-10%) (Normal range in males: 0.2-0.8 x 103/microliter)
Blood test checking for monocytosis (Abnormal ranges: >10%) (Abnormal range in males: >0.8 x 103/microliter)

Treatment
Ceftriaxone if there is typhoid fever and levofloxacin or moxifloxacin. Gentamicin and doxycyclin if brucellosis. References


== External links ==