Itching Powder: Allergies, Anti-itch Powder, And FAQs

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SubscribeWhat to know about itching powderMedically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Caitlin Geng on August 23, 2022

• What is itching powder?
• Allergic reactions
• Powders for itch relief
• FAQs
• Summary

Itching is an unpleasant feeling that may make a person want to scratch their skin. Other sensations, such as stinging, burning, or prickling, often accompany it.

Researchers believe that itching may occur as a protective measure because it causes a person to scratch, which can remove objects and small creatures, such as mites, from the skin.

They also suggest that itching, and the subsequent scratching, may alert a person’s body to a problem. This is because scratching can damage the epidermal layer of the skin, which can begin a process of healing in the body.

There are various causes of itching, which include:

• dry skin
• insect bites, such as those from mosquitoes, bedbugs, or head lice
• itchy skin conditions, such as eczema or chickenpox
• allergic reactions
• underlying health problems, such as cancer
• age, as older people typically have drier skin
• certain medications
• irritating substances, such as itching powder

This article discusses what itching powder is and whether it can cause an allergic reaction. It also looks at powders that provide relief from itching.

What is itching powder?

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Itching powder is a substance designed to cause an itching sensation. Manufacturers typically sell it as a novelty or joke item.

Itching powder often comprises materials such as ground rose hips. The plant fibers cause a prickling, itching sensation that may be similar to the feeling some people experience when coming into contact with wool fibers.

Itching powder causes itching by non-allergic stimulation, which means that the itch is not a result of an allergic reaction but rather a physical irritation.

Can itching powder cause an allergic reaction?

Itching powder typically causes itching due to physical irritation of the skin and not through an allergic reaction. However, this may depend on the ingredients in the powder.

A person should be careful to avoid getting itching powder in their eyes or mouth or inhaling it through the nose.

It is possible a person may have an allergic reaction to ingredients in the itching powder. If a person does have an allergic reaction or experiences contact dermatitis, the affected areas of skin may be:

• swollen
• dry
• bumpy
• blistered
• discolored

Although people often use ground rose hip as an ingredient in itching powder, there is limited research available to determine what the side effects may be when a person has skin contact with it. Some people’s skin may react differently from that of others.

Anaphylaxis: Symptoms and what to do

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. The symptoms develop suddenly and include:

• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• wheezing
• fast, shallow breathing
• a fast heart rate
• clammy skin
• anxiety or confusion
• dizziness
• vomiting
• blue or white lips
• fainting or loss of consciousness

If someone has these symptoms:

1. Check whether they are carrying an epinephrine pen. If they are, follow the instructions on the side of the pen to use it.
2. Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
3. Assist the person in moving from a sitting position to lying down. If they have vomited, turn them onto their side.
4. Stay with them until the emergency services arrive.

Some people may need more than one epinephrine injection. If the symptoms do not improve in 5 to 15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one.

Powders for itch relief

While itching powder aims to cause itching, manufacturers have created other powders to combat itching.

Antifungal powders may help relieve itching due to tinea, a group of diseases resulting from a type of fungus. These conditions include ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch.

The symptoms of tinea vary depending on which area of the body they affect:

• Ringworm: This is a skin rash in the shape of a ring. Despite its name, it does not occur because of a worm.
• Athlete’s foot: This condition causes itching and burning between the toes, as well as cracked skin.
• Jock itch: This is the term for a burning, itchy rash in the groin area.

The ingredients in antifungal powder help rid the body of the harmful fungus that causes tinea and actively help keep the skin dry. Powders may also be preferable to creams for some people, as they do not leave skin feeling greasy or slippery.

Researchers have found that clotrimazole antifungal powder can be effective as a treatment alongside clotrimazole cream. However, the powder was more effective in reducing sweat than the cream.

Powders can also absorb sweat and keep certain areas of the body — those where there are folds of skin that may rub — dry and comfortable. In doing so, they may alleviate or prevent itching.

A person can typically buy over-the-counter antifungal powders or creams to treat tinea infections. If these do not work, a person should speak with a doctor or dermatologist.

Frequently asked questions  

Below are the answers to some common questions about itching powder.

Does powder help with itching?

Yes, antifungal powder may help keep the skin dry and rid the body of fungi that cause tinea, a group of diseases that involve itching.

However, a product called itching powder is a novelty item designed to cause itching as a joke.

What causes an itch?

There are many possible causes of itching, including:

• bug bites
• allergic reaction
• dry skin
• itching skin conditions
• nerve problems
• contact with irritating materials or substances

Itching occurs when the skin, immune cells, and certain nerve fibers send signals to the brain that encourage a person to scratch.

Which powder is best for fungal infection?

A healthcare professional can help a person choose an antifungal powder that works best for them, depending on the particular type of fungal infection. People may have different reactions to different ingredients in antifungal powders.

Summary

Itching is an unpleasant sensation that may make a person want to scratch their skin. It can happen due to a variety of causes, such as insect bites, allergic reactions, or skin conditions.

Itching powder is a novelty item designed to cause itching by non-allergic stimulation. It may contain ingredients such as ground rose hip, which has itchy fibers that prickle the skin to cause itching. It may sometimes cause an allergic reaction if a person is allergic to any of the ingredients.

Antifungal powder may help alleviate itching resulting from the fungi that cause tinea, a group of diseases that includes ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch. A person may wish to consult a doctor about fungal infections and what type of antifungal powder will be best for them to use.

 

• Dermatology
• Neurology / Neuroscience

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• 10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/itchy-skin/itch-relief/relieve-uncontrollably-itchy-skin
• Albert, M. R. (1998). Novelty shop 'itching powder.'https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9737050/
• Cevikbas, F., et al. (2020). Physiology and pathophysiology of itch.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7474262/
• Itching. (2021).https://medlineplus.gov/itching.html
• Oakley, A. (2016). Allergic contact dermatitis. (2016).https://dermnetnz.org/topics/allergic-contact-dermatitis
• Ongsri, P., et al. (2018). Efficacy of antifungal cream versus powder in the treatment of fungal foot skin infection and unpleasant foot odor at medical department of Thai naval rating school.https://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/seameo/2018-49-2/13-7367-17-297.pdf
• Sahoo, A. K., et al. (2016). Management of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis: A comprehensive review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804599/
• Tinea infections. (2016).https://medlineplus.gov/tineainfections.html

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Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Caitlin Geng on August 23, 2022

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