Itching (dry Skin Etc.)

Clinical Description

This is due to Kaposi’s sarcoma, side effect of opiates and chemotherapy, see under common skin conditions eg. scabies, psychosis. Common causes (see relevant chapter for details)

Non-pharmacological

• reduce use of soap and stones (as this dries the skin), keep nails short, use gel from aloe vera leaves as emollient, assess psychological status

Pharmacological

• antihistamines such as Cetirizine 10mg daily, Chlorpheniramine (Piriton) 4g 8 hourly sometimes helps, low dose steroids (e.g. prednisolone 5mg daily) can help to reduce severe generalised itching, emulsifying ointment e.g. zinc oxide