{"id":592050,"date":"2025-11-25T03:54:44","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T03:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/592050\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T03:54:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T03:54:44","slug":"what-can-i-do-about-this-itching-all-over-my-head-and-body-dr-martin-scurr-has-the-answer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/592050\/","title":{"rendered":"What can I do about this itching all over my head and body? DR MARTIN SCURR has the answer"},"content":{"rendered":"

By DR MARTIN SCURR <\/p>\n

Published: 11:27 EST, 24 November 2025 | Updated: 11:27 EST, 24 November 2025 <\/p>\n

I recently developed itchy skin over most of my head and body. I\u2019ve tried creams, antihistamines and even a different washing powder \u2013 but to no avail. I\u2019m wondering if one of my prescription medications might be to blame?<\/p>\n

Name and address supplied.<\/p>\n

The technical term for your condition \u2013 widespread itching \u2013 is generalised pruritus and it\u2019s a diagnostic challenge because there can be a wide variety of causes.<\/p>\n

These include dry skin (common in older adults and worse in cold weather) \u2013 as well as eczema, hives and contact dermatitis (when something touching the skin irritates it). Another common cause is scabies, a contagious condition caused by infestation with mites.<\/p>\n

Itchy skin can also be a sign of an internal disorder, such as cholestasis, a potentially serious condition where bile builds up in the liver and bile ducts, instead of flowing towards the intestines.<\/p>\n

This can cause skin itching long before other symptoms, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), becomes apparent and can be triggered by an adverse reaction to antibiotics, antidepressants and anticonvulsant drugs.<\/p>\n

Kidney disease, iron deficiency, thyroid disease and diabetes can also trigger it.<\/p>\n

\"Wide-spread <\/p>\n

Wide-spread itching – known as\u00a0generalised pruritus – can be caused by a number of factors<\/p>\n

But you mention in your longer letter that you are taking several medications, including statins for high cholesterol; omeprazole for heartburn; tolterodine for overactive bladder; and a daily turmeric supplement.<\/p>\n

My suggestion is that once your GP has taken a blood test to rule out underlying issues, you temporarily stop taking each of these drugs, including the turmeric supplement, one by one to see if the itching subsides.<\/p>\n

Start with the statins (we know statins can cause itching) and stay off each drug for two to four weeks \u2013 under your GP\u2019s guidance, of course.<\/p>\n

If one appears to be the culprit, you\u2019ll need to repeat the exercise to confirm the suspicion. If it were clear that it was the statin, for instance, then switching to a different one might make a difference.<\/p>\n

My wife and I have just had our Covid and flu jabs and, as you recently suggested, we also asked for the RSV jab. But we were refused and told it did not work at our ages. I am 88, my wife is 83.<\/p>\n

Keith Temple, by email.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The new RSV vaccine is free on the NHS for adults turning 75 on or after September 2024, adults aged 75 to 79 at that time and adults who turned 80 after September 2024<\/p>\n

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious virus, affecting the cells lining the respiratory tract.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a common cause of coughs and colds but in babies and small children with immature immune systems it can cause chest infections, including croup and bronchiolitis (and in turn, breathing difficulties and pneumonia).<\/p>\n

The virus is equally hazardous for older adults whose immune systems are less effective due to age, as well as those with heart failure, diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \u2013 an umbrella term for lung conditions such as severe asthma.<\/p>\n

The new RSV vaccine is free on the NHS for adults turning 75 on or after September 2024, adults aged 75 to 79 at that time and adults who turned 80 after September 2024.<\/p>\n

This excludes you and your wife \u2013 which is deeply unfair in my view.<\/p>\n

There is no evidence that it doesn\u2019t work in your age group and I think it\u2019s both shocking and unethical that it\u2019s being rationed seemingly on the grounds of cost.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m afraid the only course of action open to you is to consider paying privately (Boots charge \u00a3245 per jab, for instance) \u2013 and write to your local MP highlighting the unfairness of the current rules.<\/p>\n

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