Itching

Alternate Names : Pruritis

How is the condition diagnosed?

The first step in figuring out the cause is a medical history and physical exam. This may be sufficient to make a diagnosis. In other cases, further tests may be needed.

The tests that are ordered will depend on the suspected cause of the itching. For example, blood tests can be used to help diagnose some blood cancers, hormone imbalances, and kidney failure. In cases of a skin rash, a biopsy of the skin may be needed. In this procedure, a small piece of skin is removed and sent to the lab for further testing. Special x-ray tests or other procedures may be needed in certain cases.