Suggest Medication For Body Itching

Posted on Thu, 5 Oct 2017

Question: Dear Sir,
My father (age-67 yrs) is having itching problem in different parts of the body .
After itching there is a mark left over the skin.
kindly consult what precautions and medicine to be taken to cure this.
Regards,
Vxxxy

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly upload a few more images and provide more information

Detailed Answer:
dear XXXXXXX Thank you for writing to us.

I am Dr. kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have viewed the image.

I can see a few excoriated lesions and some scaling on the dorsum of his hand. He also seems to have a white patch on the skin of dorsum of hand.
I request you to kindly upload a few more images in "reports section".
His itch could be due to various causes like xerosis, eczematous dermatitis, scabies etc
I would also like to gather more information from you in order to be able to guide you better.
Where all does he itches?Are areas like arms, chest, lower abdomen, thighs, buttocks involved?
Does he itches more at night or is it the same throughout the day?
Are there any other family members affected?

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 hours later)

Thank you very much sir ..soon I will send more pics to you.
you asked for the itching frequency ...and as I have saw his itching happens in day as well as in night.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
More pictures required

Detailed Answer:
thank you.

I all wait for more pictures.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 hours later)

As required pls find some more pics.
1. Near neck
2. Below elbow area

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Remedy for white patches

Detailed Answer:
thank you XXXXXXX
I have viewed the images. I can see white patches in these images that are of 'Vitiligo'.
Vitiligo can develop are sites of trauma e.g trauma of scratching.
I suggest an oral antihistamine e g tab. cetrizine 10mg once daily in evening in order to reduce itching. Since you said that he has generalized itching, which is most likely due to xerosis I.e dry skin, so in addition to cetrizine tablet he must also use a moisturizing lotion for his entire body e.g Venusia XXXXXXX lotion, twice daily.. moisturizing the skin would reduce itching.
Specifically for the white patches I suggest him to use tacrolimus 0.1% ointment(Topgraf 0.1% ointment) twice daily. It is to be rubbed into the vitiligo patches. Response is slow. Regular application might still take 3-4 months to induce repigmentation.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (9 hours later)

Thank you very much sir for your reply...
kindly tell me up to what time he need to take the medicine.
Is he need to take this all prescribed medicine for 3-4 months.
Regards,
Vxxxy

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding duration of treatment

Detailed Answer:
hi.

He can continue with the moisturizer for 3-4 months and even longer, if needed.
Tacrolimus ointment is to be applied twice daily on white spots for at least 3-4 months. Repigmentation usually starts after 6-8 weeks and then gets better on continued treatment.
Tab cetrizine is only for symptomatic relief from itching. He can take the tablet for 3-4 weeks and then discontinue.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)

thank you sir for your advice

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
thank you for writing to us.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj