Breaking the itch/scratch cycle.

You have an itch. You scratch it. You itch again, scratch again, and so it goes. Scratching, the first treatment for itching, provides instant relief, but usually it is only temporary. it also can lead to the onset of the itch/scratch cycle that simply perpetuates this unpleasant sensation and eventually could lead to more serious conditions and infection.

While scratching is a natural response to itching, it probably is not the best course of action. Scratching can cause the release of chemicals that exacerbate the itching, according to Herbert Lapidus, vice president for research and development, Combe Inc., manufacturer of skin medications. "Histamine is one of the chemicals released by the skin that acts on the itch receptors in your skin, initiating the itch. When a mosquito, for example, bites your arm, it's the insect's saliva that triggers the release of histamine. The histamine tickles your skin's itch receptors, and they, in turn, rush the scratch, message to your brain."

Generalized itching can take on a life of its own, particularly at night, when the threshold for itching is lower. "If itching is not treated, it can lead to intense, relentless scratching or rubbing, which can ultimately irritate the skin. This causes a breakdown or inflammation of the skin's dermis, which can lead to secondary infection," Lapidus warns.

Most generalized itching will go away eventually on its own, if you don't scratch. The key is to find a medication that...