Diseases and Conditions
Itchy skin (pruritus)
Alternative medicine
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and home remedies
Preparing for an appointment
Complications
Itchy skin that is severe or lasts more than six weeks (chronic pruritus) can affect the quality of your life. It might interrupt your sleep or cause anxiety or depression. Prolonged itching and scratching can increase the intensity of the itch, possibly leading to skin injury, infection and scarring.