What causes painful itching? The cause of itching is often unclear, but dry skin is the most common cause. In addition, there are many skin conditions with rashes that can cause itching. Serious medical conditions such as liver and kidney disease and lymphoma can also cause itching. How can I deal with itching? There are simple ways to prevent itching at home, such as avoiding household products that can cause you to itch, such as perfumes, stain removers and fabric softeners. To prevent dry skin, rinse the soap after bathing, dry the skin, use a mild moisturizer, reduce the number of baths and do not use hot water. If moisturizer applied three times a day does not help, ask your family or general practitioner for help. Your doctor may use hydrocortisone cream, prescribe anti-itch medication or treat skin infections. When should I see a specialist? If family or general practice does not help, it is time to see a specialist. If you are 60 years old and your itching is severe and has no obvious cause, or if your skin is red, hot or oozing, you should also see a doctor. Your doctor may be able to tell you what is causing your itching by asking a medical history or questions and doing tests.