Dermacool Plus 2% Menthol Aqueous Cream – 100g

Product Information

mild steroid cream (usually for only a few days) for small, inflamed areas – hydrocortisone cream is available from pharmacies over the counter, or your GP can prescribe a steroid cream for you

Menthol and camphor are considered natural analgesics or pain-relievers. This means they work by helping numb the itch, explains Azadeh Shirazi, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center. Menthol provides an additional cooling sensation that can help to relieve pain.Topical vitamin D3 or its analogues, such as calcipotriol that has been used widely for the treatment of psoriasis, may also be useful to treat pruritus in some clinical scenarios. Vitamin D3 downregulates cellular adhesion molecule expression by inhibiting TNF-α mRNA expression and influences keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. In two randomized, double-blind clinical trials, twice-daily application of calcitriol ointment for 8 weeks resulted in significant improvements in pruritus compared to vehicle ointment, in addition to reducing other symptoms of psoriasis. 40 Topical vitamin D3 has also been reported to be effective in the treating the intensely pruritic lesions of prurigo nodularis. 41 A double-blind, right/left comparison of calcipotriol 50 mg/gm ointment and betamethasone valerate 0.1% ointment in the treatment of prurigo nodularis demonstrated that calcipotriol was more effective in reducing the size and number of prurigo nodules. 42 Vitamin D3 has been shown to reduce the number of epidermal FcR1+ dendritic cells in prurigo lesions, however the significance of this finding to understanding its anti-pruritic effects remain unclear. Finally, a randomized, double-blind right/left comparison study of calcipotriol and placebo creams in patients with polymorphous light eruption showed that twice daily application of calcipotriol for 7 days prior to UV irradiation significantly decreased pruritus compared to placebo. 43 Systemic diseases may cause generalised pruritus. This is sometimes called metabolic itch. There is nothing wrong with the skin itself, at least until it's been scratched. Use a clean spoon or spatula to remove emollients from a pot or tub. This reduces the risk of infections from contaminated pots. Risk of slipping

Moisturizers have long been used to maintain the integrity of the epidermal barrier and promote its protective function against dehydration, irritants, allergens, and infectious pathogens, all of which may precipitate itch and/or pain. Increases in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which suggest decreased barrier function, are associated with increased intensity of pruritus in atopic dermatitis (AD) and other itchy dermatoses. 1 Disturbances in the cornified layer in particular may be due to loss of specific structural proteins, poor hydration, or may be multifactorial and lend to altered barrier protection. If you're using a steroid cream or another treatment for your skin condition, wait 20 to 30 minutes between using an emollient and using the other treatment. Ask a doctor which one to use first. If you or your children need to use an emollient regularly, it's a good idea to keep some in small pots or tubes at home, school or work. How to use emollients How to use emollients on your skinIf you experience any of these symptoms, talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist. Safety advice when using emollients Fire safety Other dermatological and general metabolic causes of itch may need to be excluded e.g. eczema, scabies, drug-induced reactions, iron deficiency, and thyroid disease. What is the differential diagnosis for uraemic pruritus?