The experts we spoke with also recommend:
- Keeping fingernails short
- Covering the itchy area with comfortable clothing, bandages, or cool compresses
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing made from soft, breathable fabrics
- Taking lukewarm rather than hot showers
- Keeping your bedroom cool at night
- Consistently moisturizing with a thick, fragrance-free cream to protect the skin barrier
- Running a humidifier, especially during the winter when indoor heat dries the air
Medications can include mild topical steroids such as hydrocortisone or anti-itch creams containing menthol or pramoxine. Wieder recommends keeping these cooling creams in the fridge so when you apply them, they deliver even more relief.
You might also need treatment for the inflammation simmering beneath your skin. “The most important move is to treat the eczema itself, because chasing the itch on its own won’t get you far,” Obayomi says. Medications might include systemic drugs such as oral immunosuppressants, biologics, or JAK inhibitors.
The interconnected nature of inflammatory and neuropathic itchiness has also brought about new treatment options. Sometimes the treatments aimed at tamping down atopic dermatitis can also soothe a phantom itch, even if no other symptoms are present.
“There are now biologics and targeted pills that shut down the exact immune signals behind eczema,” Obayomi says. Your dermatologist might recommend various prescription medications that work on immune cells.
Remember that even though you may not see any signs of atopic dermatitis, your itchiness is valid. “Phantom itch is real,” says Obayomi. “It is not in your head, even when your skin looks perfectly clear. That validation matters for everyone, and it matters even more for patients of color, where a flare can be harder to spot and easier to wave off.”
Talk to a trusted healthcare provider sooner rather than later. “If the itch is running your life, that’s a good reason to see a dermatologist who treats a lot of eczema and won’t stop at ‘It looks fine,’” Obayomi says.
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