8 best remedies for itchy skin

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

No matter how trite it sounds, but medicine really moves forward with 'leaps and bounds', obeying the rhythm of scientific and technological progress. So, an experienced ultrasound specialist, with the availability of modern equipment, will very quickly make an accurate diagnosis of almost any valvular heart disease, assess the contractility of this organ, and even outline the path to treatment. With the help of a gamma knife and a cyber knife, deep-lying tumors inside the brain are removed, and an artificial pancreas superimposed on the skin produces insulin, making life easier for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and does not require its administration in injections.

But there are also such, as simple as the world, complaints, in which all technical devices are still powerless. In order to deal with such patients, you need, first of all, communication, thorough routine questioning and examination of the patient, and the ability to navigate in many areas of medicine at once. And only then, when making the final diagnosis and confirming the doctor's version, the participation of a narrow specialist is required. Alas, itchy skin is one such constant 'headache' of medicine.

Itchy skin is a unique condition that simultaneously causes recurrent anguish, nervousness and irritability. But at the same time, for a very short time, the satisfaction of this persistent need causes a state that can be called pleasure. At the same time, it is still impossible to determine exactly what it is. For each patient there is a 'different' itching. Let's try to figure out how physiology and medicine characterizes the condition of itchy skin.

What is itching?

First of all, itchy skin is a subjective sensation with the help of which a superficial skin scratching reflex is realized. The purpose of this reflex is to relieve, nullify irritation that periodically occurs on the surface of the skin. After all, the skin is a rich receptor field. Much less often we are talking about itching on the mucous membranes, which can also be a source of severe itching, and most often it is the mucous membrane of the genital organs in women.

Scientifically, idiopathic, the primary condition of itchy skin is called prurigo, and there really is such a diagnosis. In Russian it can be translated as 'pruritus'. It should be remembered that pruritus may indeed be justified and necessary if there is a clear and understandable irritant that causes itchy skin.

Such a reaction to a clear stimulus is called physiological, for example, due to insect bites, to tissue pressure, changes in temperature and moisture of the skin. Pathological itching is associated with a disease, for example, in the presence of parasites – itch mite. Since he gnaws passages in the skin, the itching sensation has an obvious cause. On the other hand, itching with scabies can be considered symptomatic – this is a sign of the vital activity of the parasite, and there is a sequence of actions to eliminate it.

But along with physiological and pathological itching, one can also develop in which the reactivity of the nervous system itself changes, the threshold of its excitability decreases, and in severe cases a pathological focus is formed. As a result, there is no illness, but there is a need for the constant realization of the satisfaction of the urge to itch.

Why itching may occur: looking for causes

Before listing any medications for itching, you need to talk about its possible causes. It is clear that in some cases drugs for itching will not be needed at all, since the pathological process may generally be located at a distance from the receptor skin field, and the primary disease must be treated.

Therefore, the task of the diagnostician is, at best, to find the direct cause of itching. And if the diagnostic search, despite all the thoroughness, remains unsuccessful, then only in this case it is possible to diagnose prurigo and apply various special antipruritic drugs that act on various links of the reflex associated with itching and on pathological biochemical processes that may lie in the basis of this pathological reflex.

What diseases and pathological processes are accompanied by intense skin itching? There are a lot of them, and a competent doctor should pay attention to all possible symptoms, which are sometimes hidden, and do not “lie on the surface” at all. We list these diseases and conditions, and, moreover, this is not the whole list:

various endocrine pathologies and metabolic diseases. First of all, it is diabetes mellitus, and manifestations of thyrotoxicosis, or hyperthyroidism. This is menopause and increased hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands, or hyperparathyroidism. The cause of pruritus in diabetes mellitus, especially in insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes, is the lesion of sensitive nerve endings with a high concentration of glucose in the blood plasma, the development of diabetic polyneuropathy, and a decrease in the specific sensitivity threshold. Such patients may experience local itching, for example, of the scalp or genital skin, mucous membranes, which disappears when the glucose level drops to normal values;

in oncology – the so-called carcinoid syndrome. Carcinoid syndrome is a 'secondary' disease in which various biogenic amines and serotonin are secreted by the tumor in increased quantities. Such a tumor is most often found in various parts of the small intestine, in the pancreas, ovaries, in the lungs, or in metastatic tumors of the liver tissue;

single malignant tumors, without the release of biogenic amines, can also cause intense skin itching. These are various types of hemoblastoses, that is, acute and chronic leukemias, lymphomas, some brain tumors, multiple myeloma and other types of tumor growth;

the influence of various drugs, many of which are capable of stimulating itchy skin. The most common cause of this 'urge to scratch' is opiate-based drugs, and under the influence of drugs, for example, in heroin addicts, it is possible to become sensitive to skin. But in clinical practice, most often, of course, these are not opiates, but hormones and antibiotics. Estrogens, anabolic steroids, erythromycin, testosterone, acetylsalicylic acid, neurotropic vitamins of the group. IN;

extremely often the cause of itching, especially in children, is various helminthic and parasitic infestations. First of all, it is enterobiasis, or pinworms, which cause specific itching in the anus. Rarely, and in special, endemic regions – trichinosis, when encapsulated parasite larvae grow in muscle tissue. These are various nematodes, flatworms, for example, causative agents of opisthorchiasis and fascioliasis. We should not forget about the presence of ectoparasites located outside. These include the same scabies mite or head lice, lice;

Due to diseases of the organ systems, itching can occur in the presence of chronic renal failure, with a high increase in urea and creatinine, when the condition is close to uremic intoxication. It should be noted that the majority of patients with chronic renal failure, approximately 9 out of 10, with a significant decrease in the glomerular filtration coefficient, complain of various types of pruritus, including those associated with hemodialysis;

blood diseases such as iron deficiency anemia and Vakez disease, or erythremia, in which there is a significant thickening of the blood, high hematocrit and stimulation of all 3 hematopoietic germs;

various liver diseases – various forms of cholestasis, that is, stagnation of bile, especially inside the liver. This is a cholestatic (biliary) form of cirrhosis, idiopathic sclerosing cholangitis, and other conditions, such as chronic viral hepatitis. Disorders of bile metabolism, which cause intense itching of the skin, may occur during pregnancy and disappear after childbirth;

various local trophic disorders on the skin. These are dry skin, xeroderma, for example, with Sjogren's syndrome, various occupational diseases and chronic intoxication;

often, especially in old age, there is a so-called psychogenic itching associated with neurosis, or even with pathological psycho-production. For example, with delirium of persecution, poisoning, and various manic states, senile involutional psychoses.

Finally, we can also note the rather rare psychogenic itching, as a short reaction to stress, which occurs in the form of single, sporadic cases.

How to search, or diagnostic search for itchy skin

As can be seen from the above, the physician needs to carry out significant work, which begins with questioning, family, drug and allergic history, and routine examination in order to either confirm or exclude the underlying pathological conditions.

From instrumental and laboratory diagnostic methods in a patient with an incomprehensible cause of itching, the following tests must be performed:

1. general analysis of blood and urine;
2. urine and blood sugar;
3. a detailed biochemical blood test with fasting glucose, or glycated hemoglobin, liver indicators, bilirubin and transaminases, an enzyme responsible for cholestasis, or alkaline phosphatase and GGTP. It is very important to study the level of cholesterol and its fractions, and indicators of nitrogen metabolism, characterizing the function of the kidneys. These are urea and creatinine. If the patient has relevant risk factors, such as malnutrition and overweight, uric acid testing should be done. It is necessary to find out the level of iron in the blood plasma, the total iron-binding capacity of serum (TIBC), and find out the concentration of transferrin and ferritin. It is necessary to find out the level of thyroid hormones, if necessary – the concentration of catecholamines in the urine, to investigate the metabolism of serotonin and histamine;
4. in search of helminths, multiple analyzes of feces for helminth eggs, scrapings from perianal folds, fecal occult blood tests, specific diagnostic methods (ELISA, PCR), duodenal probing are possible;
5. chest x-ray or even computed tomography;
6. various types of ultrasound examinations, such as liver and kidney, functional tests of the kidneys, such as excretory urography.

You may need a puncture of the red bone marrow, angiography, examination of the lymph nodes, and all kinds of other types of instrumental studies. We should not forget about the possible autoimmune pathology that the patient may have. Therefore, according to the indications, it is sometimes required to study antinuclear factors for systemic lupus erythematosus, determination of acute phase proteins, CRP, rheumatoid factor. Finally, in the absence of objective data on damage to organ systems, in the absence of signs of helminthic invasion, functional disorders, it is necessary to exclude the corresponding neurological and even mental pathology.

Currently, due to the HIV epidemic spreading in the territory of the Russian Federation, when it has already spilled over the reservoir of homosexuals and intravenous drug addicts, the fact of itching against the background of the progression of HIV infection is of great importance. According to modern data, various forms of itching are observed in more than 80% of patients with HIV infection of the AIDS stage, and if there are already associated opportunistic infections, then itching will already be in almost 100% of cases.

Therefore, at present in the Russian Federation, in connection with the standards introduced for diagnosis and treatment, such a patient with persistent and widespread skin itching is truly a 'nightmare' for both the doctor and the hospital. If we imagine that the therapist, together with the questioning, examination, filling out the documentation, is given 15-20 minutes for the primary patient, then one can understand what difficulties await the doctor if he is not a magician. But let's imagine that, despite all the thorough examinations, nothing was found. In this case, a diagnosis of prurigo or prurigo is made. What is it?

If nothing is found, then the diagnosis is prurigo!

This disease, delivered by the 'exclusion' method, is considered neuroallergic dermatosis, and, as a rule, is accompanied by the appearance of primary morphological elements on the skin. These are vesicles, bumps, the onset of urticaria, and this is when severe itching appears. Pruritus is thought to be caused by prolonged exposure to many food and drug allergens.

In some cases, these are frequent insect bites or persistent digestive upset, such as a hereditary enzyme deficiency. Even preventive vaccinations, various bad habits, as well as the long existence of helminthic invasions can lead to such a chronic form of itching. And even after the helminthic invasion is treated, there remains a persistent disorder of the nervous system in the form of chronic itching.

How does prurigo, or prurigo proceed? Its two forms are known. It is acute and chronic in adults. In the first case, the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs usually suffer, on which dense nodules, or papules, on average, the size of a pea, appear. They have a reddish-brown color, swell, and do not merge with each other. It is they who itch a lot. With very severe itching, crusts appear during scratching, and then, their rejection leads to the appearance of pigmentation or whitish scars. There are other forms of pruritus, but we will not dwell on them, we will leave that to dermatologists.

It goes without saying that the diagnosis of pruritis should be carried out as carefully as possible, and the diagnosis is made only in the absence of other reasons, and only after consulting narrow specialists. Most often, a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist and oncologist, infectious disease specialist are needed. If a diagnosis is made, a dermatologist will treat you. How is this disease treated?

First of all, you need to create a favorable background, and this is the most difficult thing. It is necessary to strictly follow a hypoallergenic diet, excluding all the most common food allergens, about which there was a separate article. You should eat:

1. no dyes or preservatives;
2. dishes should not be spicy and irritating;
3. it is necessary to limit baking, confectionery, refined and canned foods, fast carbohydrates, alcohol is prohibited;
4. substitutes for milk fat (palm oil) are prohibited;
5. fast food is prohibited.

In fact, it is much more difficult to observe and sustain it than to take any medication correctly. After all, a properly organized daily routine, rejection of bad habits, rational physical activity, correct diet can do wonders. As a result, the patient will not only get rid of itching, but, possibly, excess weight, joint pain, metabolism will improve, the threat of severe atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disasters will disappear, blood sugar will normalize, and other pleasant changes for the better will occur.

Drug therapy for pruritus

If it is still necessary to take medications, then antihistamines will be the basis of treatment, since it is these drugs that regulate the intensity of irritation of the nerve endings, reducing the amount of free histamine. These drugs are classified as type 1 histamine receptor blockers and are classified into several classes.

The first class of these drugs is known to everyone. These are drugs such as Suprastin, Tavegil, Diphenhydramine, Diazolin. Nowadays, they are considered outdated and rude, as they cause drowsiness and sedation. This is due to their effect on muscarinic cholinergic receptors. But every cloud has a silver lining: such side effects for chronic itchy skin can be considered very valuable.

In patients with a pronounced neurotic type, irritability and insomnia, tormented by itching, such effects will be very useful, since they will allow them to calm down and fall asleep easier.

It should be recalled that an international non-proprietary name, or INN, is given first for each drug. Then some of the more popular commercial names are listed, and the first is usually the name of the originator brand first launched on the market. It is the original medicine that is always the most expensive, the best researched from all sides. Then, many years later, when generics, or commercial copies appear, it remains the purest, using reference substances. Prices for medicines are given for January 2020 for pharmacies of all forms of ownership in the Russian Federation. The sequence of presentation, the inclusion (non-inclusion) of individual drugs is not the purpose of creating advertising or anti-advertising and is dictated by modern clinical guidelines, as well as the sequence of listing drugs on modern pharmaceutical sites.

Best Remedies for Itchy Skin

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Antihistamines 2 generations – the basis for the treatment of itching	1	Dimetindene maleate – Fenistil	357 r
	2	Loratadin (Claritin, Claridol, Lomilan, Loratavel)	RUB 45
	3	Desloratadin (Erius, Desal, Lordestin, Nalorius, Ezlor, Elisey)	RUB 291
	4	Fexofenadine hydrochloride (Allegra, Gifast, Feksadin)	384 r
	5	Levocetirizine (Zodak-Express, Suprastinex, Ksizal)	334 r
External therapy	1	Losterin, zinc-naphthalan paste	RUB 510
	2	Ichthyol ointment, paste, or cream (ichtammol)	RUB 56
	3	Menovazine	RUB 67

Antihistamines 2 generations – the basis for the treatment of itching

The basis for the treatment of intense chronic itching will be second-generation antihistamines, which practically do not penetrate the structures of the central nervous system, and therefore do not have a sedative effect. We will begin our review with them.

Dimetindene maleate – Fenistil

Rating: 4.9

Fenistil is a popular drug that can be prescribed in several dosage forms, both for internal and external use. It is a gel to be applied to the skin and it is drops. It can be used even by babies who are only a month old. It is a standard blocker of histamine receptors, but belongs to the second generation, and therefore does not have the characteristic side effects of drugs of the previous generation. For Fenistil in therapeutic doses, dry mouth, urinary retention, and so on are uncharacteristic.

It is prescribed for persistent itching for an adult every day in a dose of 60 to 120 drops, that is, a maximum of 40 drops three times a day, the maximum dosage is 50 drops. Fenistil is produced at the Russian Tula pharmaceutical factory, and the average cost of a 20 ml package does not exceed 350 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The duration of use of this drug in adults is no longer than a month, and the main advantage of this drug is the possibility of prescribing it in children already in the second month of life. Naturally, this does not mean that children already at this age have pruritus, or itchy skin, but it speaks volumes about the safety of this medicine. However, they should not get carried away, because if you exceed a reasonable dose of 50 drops at a time and 150 drops during the day, then systemic side effects may still appear. This is the same dry mouth, dilated pupils, increased heart rate, and other anticholinergic effects.

Loratadin (Claritin, Claridol, Lomilan, Loratavel)

Rating: 4.8

Claritin's analogs are very popular, and are used not only for itchy skin, but also for similar allergic conditions, for example, with urticaria, hay fever and allergic rhinitis, with atopic dermatitis and allergic conjunctivitis, various forms of food allergies. Most often in pharmacies you can see the drug in tablets and in the form of a colorless syrup.

It is prescribed, starting from the age of two, and begins to act quickly, within 30-40 minutes after administration. From taking Loratadine, the greatest effect develops after 10-12 hours. It is a true second generation drug that does not cause first generation side effects, sedation and hypnotics. Claritin is an imported drug, produced by the Schering-Plow company, and a pack of 10 tablets will cost you from 190 to 260 rubles. It is advisable to prescribe it to adults one tablet at a time, 10 mg once a day, from 2 weeks to 1 month in chronic forms of prurigo.

This drug is included in the federal list of vital drugs, the maximum price for it is set by the state. But if you are very constrained in funds, then there are domestic analogues. For example, MNN-generic loratadine from the domestic manufacturer Vertex will cost about 30 rubles for the same package.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps the most important advantage of Claritin is its excellent European quality and low cost, since it is (so far) included in the list of vital medicines. As you know, if you get into this list, then the medicine in our country is provided with a 'green street', for example, in the form of centralized purchases by hospitals at the expense of the budget. Therefore, for a place in ZhVNLS, a battle is constantly being waged among different drugs and manufacturers. Like any drug, it still has side effects that occur infrequently, in about one patient in 40. Headache is most common. This drug does not interfere with the metabolism of ethyl alcohol and can therefore be taken while alcohol is being consumed, although of course this is not recommended.

Desloratadin (Erius, Desal, Lordestin, Nalorius, Ezlor, Elisey)

Rating: 4.7

Erius is considered a modern medicine, and quite safe, since it can be prescribed as early as six months of age. It also belongs to histamine receptor blockers, but the effect of its use is longer, and it does not have a sedative and hypnotic effect. Of course, no one guarantees that severe forms of itching against the background of taking it will almost completely disappear, but in any case, taking it causes significant relief, and not only with itchy skin, but also with various forms of allergic edema. This allows it to be used for classic allergic diseases such as urticaria, Quincke's edema, allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis.

Erius is produced in tablet form, or in syrup. Adults are shown taking one tablet a day, it is also produced by the Schering-Plow company. One pack of 10 tablets will cost, on average, from 600 to 950 rubles. This drug is not included in the list of vital drugs, so its price with the same quality and from the same manufacturer as Claritin (after all, it is produced by the same company) is much higher.

However, you can also purchase cheap domestic analogues of this medicine, for example, the production of Canonpharm production. It is a cheap generic INN marketed under the name Desloratadine-Canon. This package costs only 130 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like other modern 2nd generation antihistamines produced in the West, this drug is of high quality, sufficient effectiveness and few side effects. While taking this medicine, you can safely drive a car, as well as work in conditions associated with the presence of moving machinery. However, this is possible only if the indicated maximum dosages are observed, namely, one tablet per day. If you exceed this dose, you can get dry mouth, headache, or even a feeling of increased fatigue. It is also undesirable to use this drug for pregnant and lactating women. The dosage of this medication in adults for chronic itching is, on average, 5 mg or 10 mg once a day. The duration of treatment is from 2 weeks to 1 month.

Fexofenadine hydrochloride (Allegra, Gifast, Feksadin)

Rating: 4.6

The drug Allegra, which is produced by the French company Sanofi-Aventis, can be purchased in pharmacies at prices ranging from 400 to 800 rubles. per pack of 10 tablets. This is a modern drug, and it does not have the side effects of the 'ancient' antihistamines, as well as alpha-blockers.

The effect appears within an hour, and is effective 24 hours after a single dose. It is very important that even if you take this medicine for a whole month, then it is not addictive, and there is no need to increase the dosage. Allegra is indicated for various forms of chronic itching, for allergic rhinitis, and for chronic urticaria. For adults, the usual dosage is 180 mg once daily, before meals.

Advantages and disadvantages

This drug has a minimum of contraindications. It's just: age up to 12 years, individual intolerance, from which there is no escape, pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding. With caution, it is prescribed to persons with insufficient liver and kidney function, as well as in pathology of the cardiovascular system. Uncommon side effects such as headache and dizziness are also possible. Allegra can be considered a worthy drug for relieving pruritus, both symptomatic and with an established diagnosis of prurigo.

Levocetirizine (Zodak-Express, Suprastinex, Ksizal)

Rating: 4.5

Zodak-Express is a completely different drug than just Zodak. Zodac contains cetirizine. Zodak-Express is also used for chronic and acute forms of itching, and is produced by the Czech company Zentiva, in a package of 7 tablets of 5 mg each. On average, the cost of this package ranges from 170 to 330 rubles. You can purchase a package of 28 tablets (the same 5 mg), but calculated for a month of use, it will cost from 440 to 600 rubles.

This medicine is used not only to treat chronic itching, but also in the presence of all other allergic symptoms, ranging from Quincke's edema, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and ending with urticaria. It is also a medicine that does not have the side effects of therapeutic doses such as drowsiness, dry mouth, pupil changes, and urinary retention. You need to use it one tablet once a day, and if you need to treat the baby, you can give this medicine in drops.

Advantages and disadvantages

This tool does not have any special advantages and disadvantages that distinguish it from a number of similar drugs. This is a normal second-generation anti-allergic drug that is able to selectively block histamine receptors without causing sedation, urinary disturbances or other side effects. All 2nd generation antihistamines have perfect compliance, they only need to be taken once a day, and they have a fairly long-term effect from a single dose. The only thing that was noted as adverse reactions was fatigue, headache. Some volunteers still noted a relatively increased appetite.

External therapy

Local prurigo therapy only makes sense if the person has itchy dermatosis. In other words, the use of local preparations will be effective only when there is an altered skin condition, and bumps or papules, blisters, or itchy elements of urticaria, as well as vesicles, or vesicles, which can be filled with transparent contents and cause severe itching, form on it.

It is necessary to distinguish the primary morphological elements indicated above from the secondary ones. Secondary elements include crusts, or excoriation, scratching marks, suppurating wounds, and other elements. All of them can occur on practically unchanged skin by scratching, violation of the integrity of the skin surface and the subsequent attachment of a secondary infection. Therefore, the purpose of using local remedies for chronic itching will be not only to reduce the actual itching, but also drying, and disinfecting and antibacterial action. Let's consider the most famous tools.

Losterin, zinc-naphthalan paste

Rating: 4.9

Losterin comes in the form of a cream, it can be used for daily skin care, and it is based on deresined naphthalan, a natural petroleum compound. The product additionally contains urea, zinc oxide, salicylic acid. As a result, Losterin has anti-inflammatory, long-term analgesic, antimicrobial and vasodilatory effects. Due to the presence of urea, it penetrates deep into the epidermis and contributes to a more intense exfoliating effect. Salicylic acid inhibits the development of microorganisms, and additionally contained Panthenol, a complex of fatty acids and vitamin E have a trophic effect, regulating lipid and water balance. The product is not toxic, it can be used for a long time, from 2 to 3 times a day. It is produced by several domestic companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers in Ukraine, as well as companies in France and America. A tube of 50 ml of the drug can be bought in a retail network from 300 to 650 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The big advantage of this drug is its non-toxicity and good tolerance, it is a non-prescription drug. The only limitation is an individual intolerance to naphthalan or cosmetic additives that are part of the perfume, since, after all, a local remedy that smells of oil is not very pleasant for others. But Losterin is very good for papular forms of prurigo, and in combination with antihistamines is capable of reducing the sensitivity of skin receptors, increasing the reflex threshold of itching, and helping the skin to cope with problems such as secondary infection, dryness and the development of cracks due to constant scratching.

Ichthyol ointment, paste, or cream (ichtammol)

Rating: 4.8

Ichthyol ointment is considered very popular in dermatology, with a concentration of 10 or 20%. Ichthyol is a cream, ointment and paste for external use. Some people mistakenly believe that the paste or ointment contains organic fish residues, since ichthyology is the science of fish, but in fact this tool consists of completely different components. Ichthyol or ichtammol is formed by a chemical process called oil shale semicoking. As a result, a fraction of resins and oils is formed, which boils, on average, at a temperature of 300 degrees. After treatment with alkali and acid, after thorough rinsing and sulfation, after the second rinsing, ammonia treatment and evaporation, ichthyol is obtained, which relieves pain, has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects.

Ichthyol ointment helps fight itching, since it reduces skin sensitivity, has antimicrobial, anti-streptococcal and anti-staphylococcal effects, and, in addition to itching, is successfully used to treat arthritis and neuralgia. Ichthyol ointment is even produced in suppositories for the treatment of gynecological and urological diseases. It is produced by domestic manufacturers, and is applied to the skin in a thin layer, without rubbing, you can apply the agent under the bandage at night. For adults, ichthyol ointment can be applied 2 to 3 times a day to the affected area. A tube weighing 25 g is inexpensive, the maximum price in pharmacies for a 10 percent ointment is 100 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ichthyol ointment is an irreplaceable remedy in the home medicine cabinet. Indeed, in addition to the pathology of the joints, and allergic manifestations, skin itching, it is even used to treat burns. However, the remedy may be contraindicated due to individual intolerance, and if it is not there, then this ointment can even be used for pregnant and lactating women. The main thing is that during feeding, the ointment does not get on the nipples of the mother and the child in the mouth.

Ichthyol is usually well tolerated, and if there is an allergy to ichthyol, it manifests itself immediately. Overdosing with this ointment is impossible, the remedy is cheap and effective. It can be bought in many pharmacies, it is produced by more than 20 domestic enterprises, as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers in Lithuania, Ukraine and Belarus. Perhaps the only drawback is the specific smell of ichthyol ointment, which slightly resembles creosote for impregnating wooden railway sleepers. However, some, on the contrary, find some peculiar attraction in this smell.

Menovazine

Rating: 4.7

Menovazine is a very well-chosen ingredient. It is a liquid for topical use, it is a pleasantly mint-smelling clear alcohol solution. This is a cheap product, and even a large bottle of 50 milliliters will cost no more than 150 rubles. Menovazin contains menthol, or racementol, or, more simply, mint oil, which has a well-known pleasant cooling effect. In addition, Menovazin contains two components for local anesthesia: procaine and benzocaine.

All this has a complex effect when applied to the skin. Menthol is irritating and pleasantly cold, affects nerve endings, distracts and reduces itching. On the other hand, menthol promotes blood flow to the superficial vessels of the skin, and in the presence of urticaria, its application promotes the speedy resorption of severe itchy blisters. Two local anesthetics have an analgesic effect, and two drugs at once mutually reinforce each other, being synergistic. Anesthetics can be absorbed shallowly into the skin and affect the transmission of nerve impulses. However, at the same time, Menovazin is not absorbed into the bloodstream.

This drug is produced by a large number of domestic companies, for example, Synthesis LLC. In addition to treating itchy skin and various dermatological diseases, Menovazin is very good for joint and muscle pain, for chronic back pain, for example, with lumbago, sciatica and similar diseases.

Advantages and disadvantages

The only contraindication to the application of Menovazin is a violation of the integrity of the skin, and in relation to the state of chronic skin itching, these are long-term non-healing chronic wounds, crusts with the addition of a secondary infection and the presence of inflammation, wetness and suppuration. It is contraindicated because it contains no antimicrobial components. But, if there is no inflammation and suppuration, but there is just itching on the background of blisters or itchy bumps, then Menovazin will perfectly cope with this symptom, especially together with antihistamines. The only thing you need to be careful about using it in pregnant and lactating women. It should be applied with rubbing, up to 2-3 times a day. If a person is sensitive to the action of local anesthetics, then still, with frequent application to large areas of the skin, side symptoms such as a decrease in blood pressure and slight dizziness may occur.

Instead of a conclusion

Of course, not all funds were named in the list. So, in the section of local preparations, methylene blue, the usual alcoholic solution of brilliant green, or fucorcin are also used. In the case of severe, systemic pruritic dermatoses that cannot be controlled by the above drugs, 'heavy artillery', or topical glucocorticosteroid hormones, is used. They have already been talked about and written about in other drug reviews, and the principles of hormone prescribing remain unshakable. They should only be taken as directed by a physician, in the smallest, least effective dose possible. Hormones are used in the shortest possible courses, and the weakest hormones should be used first. If they do not help, then gradually you need to move to stronger ones. For example, from hydrocortisone, they gradually ascend to betamethasone, then mometasone furoate is prescribed, that is, Elok, and ends with the most powerful hormonal agent, clobetasol propionate, or Dermovate. At the slightest sign of stabilization of the condition, it is necessary to leave local hormonal drugs, since if they are used for a long time or constantly, then the effectiveness of their use is sharply reduced, and at the same time all other drugs are already ineffective.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.