Natural homeopathic medicines for itching
Itching, medically termed as pruritus, is an irritating, unpleasant sensation on the skin that makes a person rub or scratch it. Itching can affect some specific body parts (localized itching) or it may spread over the body (generalized itching). Itching can occur without any eruptions, or there may be a rash or an eruption. The skin may become rough, dry, cracked, or leathery and may look red. Following scratching, bleeding spots appear on the skin. With intense scratching, the chances of skin injuries and infection also increase.
There is a huge scope in homeopathy to treat itching that arises due to various reasons. Itching, both, recent or chronic in nature, respond well to homeopathic treatment. The main advantage of using homeopathic medicines for itching is that these are natural and safe medicines with zero side-effects. Along with itching, they help relieve associated complaints like burning sensation, stinging sensation, dryness, roughness, cracks, and also help cure any type of eruptions.
Homeopathic treatment is non-suppressive
Homeopathy offers non-suppressive treatment for itching. It provides long-term relief followed by cure if proper course of homeopathic treatment is followed. Itching on the skin may be due to various reasons, and since homeopathic remedies address the root cause, it leads to permanent cure. The conventional medicines treat itching with the use of ointments. Though, these act quickly to relieve one of itching, it offers short-term relief by way of suppression. Suppression is not cure.
Once itching is suppressed, it may recur since the cause may have been left untreated. Therefore, homeopathy can be a great treatment option to prevent suppression in any way. Homeopathy does not act superficially but gets deep into treatment of underlying causes to offer a cure.
Homeopathy prescribes as per law of individualization
Homeopathic prescription is done following the principle of individualization. There are numerous homeopathic medicines for treating itching and in every individual case the characteristic symptoms are studied in detail to finalise the prescription. These individually administered medicines work magnificently in relieving itching on the skin.
Suits all age groups
Itching can affect persons of any age group and homeopathic medicines are suitable for people of all age groups. Only the potency and dosage varies according to the age of the individual. Homeopathic medicines boost the body’s self-healing system to help in natural recovery.
Gentle treatment with no side effects
Homeopathic medicines are devoid of any toxins and chemicals. These are prepared from natural sources hence are very safe to use and have no side effects at all. These treat in a very mild, gentle and most harmless manner and offer great cures.
Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines For Itching
The homeopathic medicines that are used most frequently to treat skin itching are Sulphur, Graphites Naturalis, Arsenic Album, Psorinum, Apis Mellifica, Fagopyrum Esculentum, Dolichos Pruriens, Natrum Muraticum, Petroleum and Mezereum.
1. Sulphur – Top-Grade Medicine To Treat Itching
Sulphur tops the list of homeopathic medicines to treat cases of itching on the skin. This medicine is highly suitable for itching on skin either with or without eruptions. The skin is dry and scaly. Eruptions may include pimples or pustules. Itching may keep shifting from one part of the body to another. In most cases, itching aggravates at night and disturbs the sleep. It is aggravated by the warmth of the bed. Itching may worsen from washing and also in damp weather. On scratching, a burning sensation is felt and intense scratching may cause bleeding spots. The affected areas on the skin may be sore and painful. Pain may remain for a long time after scratching. Stitching and pricking sensation in the skin is also marked.
When to use Sulphur?
Sulphur can be used as a first remedy in case of itching on the skin either with or without eruptions. It is recommended if the problem aggravates at night owing to the warmth of the bed.
How to use Sulphur?
It is most commonly used in 30C potency. This medicine can be used in 30C potency once a day. Do not take it more than once a day.
2. Graphites Naturalis – For Itching With Dry and Rough Skin
Graphites Naturalis is a highly effective medicine to help cases of itching along with marked dryness and roughness of skin. Cracks on skin may also be seen. Itching is intense and accompanied by a burning sensation. It is also the best medicine to deal with cases of itchy eruptions that ooze a sticky fluid. It is also prominently indicated for managing cases of eczema with marked itching. It works well for controlling itching in dry eczema as well as wet eczema where watery, transparent sticky, gluey discharge is present.
When to use Graphites Naturalis?
Someone who is experiencing itching along with dry rough skin can use this medicine for relief.
How to use Graphites Naturalis?
This medicine is usually taken in 3X potency in a tablet form. One to two tablets of Graphites Naturalis 3X can be taken in the morning and evening as per the severity. Some cases may need 30C potency, but it should be administered only after consulting a qualified homeopath.
3. Arsenic Album – For Skin Itching with Burning
Arsenic Album is highly beneficial to manage itching and burning on the skin. The skin is dry and scratching causes pain. Cold tends to worsen the complaint. Skin may also be oversensitive. This medicine is also highly effective to treat psoriasis with rough patches on skin covered with scales attended with marked itching.
When to use Arsenic Album?
This medicine can be used to control skin itching along with burning sensation and also for itchy rough patches on skin covered with scales.
How to use Arsenic Album?
Though it can be used in different potencies like 30C, 200C, 1M, it is best advised to begin with 30C potency once a day. If there is no relief, you may switch to higher potencies after taking a homeopath’s advice.
4. Psorinum – For Itching With Scratching Till Skin Bleeds
Psorinum is well administered for cases in which itching is intense and the sufferer scratches skin till it bleeds. Small eruptions may also arise after rubbing the skin. Itching gets worse when the body becomes warm and also during the night. The skin may be rough or greasy. It is also well indicated when there is itching in flexures of the body like elbow bend, back of knee, etc. Skin eruptions that get better in summer and worse in winter are also treated with Psorinum. It is used for various skin complaints including acne, eczema, psoriasis, scabies, herpetic eruptions, and hives.
When to use Psorinum?
This medicine can be used in case there is intense itching and the sufferer keeps scratching till it begins to bleed. It can also be administered for itching particularly in knee bends and elbow bends.
How to use Psorinum?
This medicine falls in the category of strong homeopathic medications, therefore, infrequent doses are suggested. The recommended potencies include 200C, 1M, and even higher potencies. Initially, 200 C potency is good to start with and it is advised to wait for about 10 to 15 days before repeating it. Do not take it more frequently without the physician’s advice.
5. Apis Mellifica – For Itching With Stinging and Prickling Sensation
Apis Mellifica is a wonderful medicine to manage skin itching accompanied with a stinging, prickling sensation. The itching often becomes intolerable and leads to harsh rubbing. Rashes form on the skin and the skin gets red and feels hot. Itching gets better in the open air. The skin feels sore and is sensitive to even a slightest touch. Apis Mellifica is also an excellent medicine for hives (bumps on skin) accompanied with marked itching and stinging sensation. Apis Mellifica is also used to treat allergic dermatitis and prickly heat.
When to use Apis Mellifica?
Apis Mellifica can be used in cases where along with itching, the sufferer experiences stinging and prickling sensation.
How to use Apis Mellifica?
It can be used in low (30C) as well high potencies (like 200C, 1M). In 30C potency, it can be taken one to two times a day.
6. Fagopyrum Esculentum– For Itching In Elderly People
Fagopyrum is a natural treatment for managing itching among older adults. It gets worse from scratching. Bathing in cold water brings relief. Though itching can occur on any part of the body, it is worse on the arms, legs, hands, elbows, knees and hairy parts. Itching gets worse from exposure to sunlight and towards the evening.
When to use Fagopyrum Esculentum?
This medicine should be administered for itching on the skin in the elderly especially when scratching worsens it.
How to use Fagopyrum Esculentum?
To begin with, its 30C potency can be used once or twice a day.
7. Dolichos Pruriens – For Itching Without Any Skin Eruptions / Rash
Dolichos Pruriens is a very suitable medicine for itching on the skin that occurs without any rash/eruptions. For those who require it, itching worsens at night. Burning sensation is an accompanying symptom. Like Fagopyrum, this medicine is also indicated to manage skin itching among the elderly.
When to use Dolichos Pruriens?
It should be the first choice of medicine for itching on the skin without any rash or eruptions.
How to use Dolichos Pruriens?
Dolichos Pruriens 30C can be taken once a day if itching is mild. For moderate intensity itching, it can be taken twice a day.
8. Natrum Muriaticum– For Itching Worse from Heat or Sunlight
Natrum Muriaticum is a well administered medicine for intense itching of dry, rough or chapped skin. Itching may worsen from heat, sun exposure, at the seaside, or after physical exertion. This medicine is often prescribed when there are associated symptoms with small vesicles, herpetic eruptions, hives, or eruptions along the margins of the scalp and bends of joints. Itching gets better from sweating. Natrum Muriaticum is also used for the treatment of eczema and psoriasis.
When to use Natrum Muriaticum?
Natrum Muriaticum is indicated when itching is intense with dry, rough, or chapped skin, it especially gets worse from heat, sun, or seaside.
How to use Natrum Muriaticum?
It can be administered with 6X potency, 4 tablets once a day. Other potencies such as 30C, 200C can be used only under the guidance of a qualified homoeopath.
9. Petroleum – For Itching with Dry, Rough and Cracked Skin
Petroleum is an important remedy for intense itching associated with very dry, rough, and cracked skin, especially in the winters. The itching gets worse at night and in the skin folds. It may be accompanied by a burning sensation, redness and bleeding due to scratching. Itching in the orifices with a burning sensation, moist eruptions, and eruptions that do not heal easily are characteristic symptoms indicating the use of Petroleum.
When to use Petroleum?
Petroleum is well administered when itching is intense, gets worse at night and in the winters; is associated with very dry, rough, cracked skin.
How to use Petroleum?
It can be used in lower potency, 30C once a day.
10. Mezereum– For Chronic Intolerable Itching Worse at Night
Mezereum is indicated for violent, intolerable itching, often described as if insects are crawling under the skin. The itching gets worse at night, in the bed, and from warmth or after a warm bath. Scratching may change the location of itching and it may cause bleeding, followed by a burning sensation. It can also be useful if itching is without much visible eruption. Mezereum is also administered when chronic itching is present among the old (Senile Pruritus).
When to use Mezereum?
Mezereum works well when itching is intense and intolerable, that becomes worse at night, in the bed or due to warmth and warm bathing.
How to use Mezereum?
It can be started with lower potency, 30C once a day.
Causes of Itching
Itching is a symptom of many health conditions. The causes are highly variable and are summed up below:
Skin conditions
Dry skin: It mostly happens when there is dry air in the atmosphere, and also in winters. Along with skin dryness, cracks or scales appear on the skin.
Eczema/Atopic dermatitis: It is a very common condition especially among the children in which inflammation of skin occurs along with dryness and itching. In some cases, eruptions (bumps) appear that may ooze fluid followed by crust formation and thickening of the skin.
Scabies:It is a skin complaint caused by a mite, sarcoptes scabiei. A highly contagious disease, an extremely itchy skin rash appears on the skin that tends to worsen at night.
Fungal infections on skin: For example ringworm on skin.
Psoriasis: It is an autoimmune skin condition characterized by inflammatory patches on the skin covered with silvery-white scales. Itching may occur in these patches. At times, a burning sensation can also accompany.
Prickly heat:It is also called ‘heat rash’ in which small fluid-filled blisters form on the skin from trapped sweat. This rash is quite itchy along with pricking sensation, hence the name ‘prickly heat’.
Urticaria/Hives: A skin rash with raised bumps on the skin called wheals that usually arise from an allergic reaction. It is accompanied by itching and stinging sensation.
Lichen Planus: An autoimmune skin condition characterized by purple-colored bumps on the skin that tend to be itchy.
Bacterial infections like–folliculitis (a skin condition in which hair follicles get inflamed from bacterial infection), impetigo (skin infection caused by bacteria mainly staphylococcus bacteria), etc.
B. Skin allergies
1. Contact dermatitis: Skin rash that arises from direct contact with substances like nickel in jewellery, hair dyes, detergent or from an allergic reaction to it.
2. Certain foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, fish
3. Certain soaps, wool, cosmetics
C .Nerve-related disorders
1. Shingles: A painful rash with fluid-filled blisters caused by varicella zoster virus. It can be accompanied by itching, tingling, and burning sensation.
2. Multiple sclerosis: An autoimmune disorder in which our immune cells damage protective covering of nerves.
3. Nerve damage
D. Psychological causes
These include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (a psychological disorder with constant repetitive thoughts in mind that leads to certain repetitive behavior), depression, and anxiety.
E. Systemic medical conditions
Itching can occur in some systemic medical conditions like thyroid disease and Diabetes Mellitus; among these, there are a few serious ones too like kidney failure, liver disease, lymphoma (cancer of lymphatic system), multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells).
F. Use of some medicines
Certain medications, like drugs for high blood pressure, allopurinol for gout and narcotic painkillers may also cause itching.
Lifestyle Changes & Management Tips for Itching (Pruritus)
1. Keep the skin well moisturized using gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers, especially after bathing.
2. Avoid very hot showers, use lukewarm water to prevent excessive dryness.
3. Use gentle, chemical-free soaps and avoid harsh ones.
4. Wear loose, breathable cotton clothes to reduce irritation and sweating.
5. Keep nails trimmed short to prevent skin damage from scratching.
6. Stay well hydrated.
7. Identify and avoid personal triggers such as certain foods, dust, pollen, or synthetic fabrics.
8. Try to manage stress through relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
9. Maintain a balanced diet, rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and essential nutrients to support skin health.
10. Avoid excessive sweating and change damp clothes at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can itching occur without a rash?
Yes, itching may occur without visible skin changes, especially in dry skin or internal conditions.
2. Is itching contagious?
Itching itself is not contagious, but causes like scabies or fungal infections can spread from one person to another.
3. Can itching be a sign of internal disease?
Yes, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and diabetes can sometimes cause generalized itching.
4. Should recurrent itching be ignored if mild?
No, repeated episodes may indicate allergy, metabolic disorder, or chronic skin condition.
5. Why does itching become worse in warm environments?
Heat increases blood flow and histamine release in the skin, which can intensify the itching sensation.
6. Can vitamin deficiency cause itching?
Yes, deficiency of vitamins like A, D, or B-complex may contribute to dry and itchy skin.
7. Are synthetic clothes harmful in itching?
Tight or synthetic fabrics can trap sweat and aggravate itching; loose cotton clothes are better.
8. What is the long-term complication of untreated itching?
Chronic scratching can cause thickened skin (lichenification), pigmentation, infection and scarring.
9. What is neuropathic itching?
Itching caused by nerve damage or irritation (without skin disease) is called neuropathic itch and may occur in diabetes, spinal disorders, or after shingles.
10. Are Homeopathic medicines safe for children who suffer from itching?
Yes, when prescribed by a qualified homeopath, these medicines are gentle and safe for children suffering from itching.