Itch Soothe (Crotamiton 10%)

Itch Soothe general information

What is Itch Soothe used for?

Itch Soothe is a topical cream used to relieve itching and irritation of the skin caused by a variety of factors.  These include sunburn and heat rash; dry eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis and characterised by patches of dry itchy, thickened skin, itchy dermatitis, which can be a reaction to an irritant or allergy; allergic reactions such as rashes and hives; nettle rash; chickenpox; insect bites and stings.  Itch Soothe cream 10% is also used to treat scabies, which is caused by a parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei that burrows into the skin and is transmitted by direct skin contact.  As the mite burrows, it causes intense itching and can also cause an allergic reaction with symptoms including a rash, seen as small red bumps on the limbs and trunk, which are usually very itchy; also nodules in the groin or armpit.  Burrow lines can also be seen at the site of infection, usually between the fingers, on the skin of the hands, feet, wrist, elbows, buttocks and genitals.  Itch Soothe provides symptomatic relief of itching and also removes scabies infestation.

How does Itch Soothe work?

Itch Soothe cream 10% contains crotamiton an antipruritic (anti itching) that is used to provide symptomatic relief of itching, and an acaricide that is used to treat scabies infestation.  Itching is a sensation caused by stimulation of nerve fibres in the skin by various mechanisms including chemical stimulation by histamine.  The transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel is a calcium ion channel found in skin and in the sensory neurones of the peripheral nervous system that plays a role in stimulation the itch sensation.  The antipruritic effect of Crotamiton in Itch Soothe is thought to work by inhibiting TRPV4, which reduces the itch sensation^{1, 2}.  Crotamiton in Itch Soothe also causes cooling of the skin as it evaporates resulting in counter-irritation, which is thought to contribute to its antipruritic effect.  As an acaricide Crotamiton in Itch Soothe is thought to work by blocking the motor system of the mites, which irreversibly blocks normal spontaneous movements that kills the scabies mite.  Crotamiton in Itch Soothe penetrates rapidly into the skin and is effective for 6-10 hours for relief of itching and for 3-5 days for treatment of scabies.

What does Itch Soothe contain?

Itch Soothe contains the active ingredient crotamiton (10%w/w) an antipruritic that is used to provide symptomatic relief of itching, and an acaricide that is used to treat scabies infestation.  It also contains carbomer 940, glycerol, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, polawax GP 200, triethanolamine and purified water.

Treating itching with Itch Soothe

Itch Soothe cream contains crotamiton an antipruritic (anti itching) that is used as a topical treatment to provide symptomatic relief of itching and irritation of the skin caused by a variety of factors.  These include sunburn and heat rash; dry eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis and characterised by patches of dry itchy, thickened skin ), itchy dermatitis, which can be a reaction to an irritant or allergy; allergic reactions such as rashes and hives; nettle rash; chickenpox; insect bites and stings.  The antipruritic effect of Crotamiton in Itch Soothe is thought to work by blocking activation of sensory neurones of the peripheral nervous system that play a role in stimulation the itch sensation in skin; also by cooling of the skin as it evaporates resulting in counter-irritation, which is thought to contribute to its antipruritic effect. Crotamiton in Itch Soothe penetrates rapidly into the skin and is effective for 6-10 hours for relief of itching.

Itch Soothe for scabies infestation

Itch Soothe cream contains crotamiton, acaricide that is used to treat scabies infestation.  Scabies is caused by a parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei that burrows into the skin, causing intense itching as it burrows and can also cause an allergic reaction with symptoms including a rash, seen as small red bumps on the limbs and trunk, which are usually very itchy; also nodules in the groin or armpit.  Burrow lines can also be seen at the site of infection, usually between the fingers, on the skin of the hands, feet, wrist, elbows, buttocks and genitals.  Crotamiton in Itch Soothe is thought to work by blocking the motor system of the mites, which irreversibly blocks normal spontaneous movements that kills the scabies mite.  Crotamiton in Itch Soothe penetrates rapidly into the skin and is effective for 3-5 days for treatment of scabies.

What are the side effects of Itch Soothe?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Itch Soothe cream include irritation or contact allergy at the site of application.

When should Itch Soothe not be used?

You should not use Itch Soothe cream if you:

• are allergic to crotamiton or any ingredients in Itch Soothe
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have broken skin, a weeping skin condition, an exudative wound, acute eczema or very inflamed skin

How should Itch Soothe be applied?

For relief from itching you should use your Itch Soothe cream by applying to the affected area 2-3 times daily.  For treatment of scabies you should use your Itch Soothe cream by applying to the infected area once daily, preferably in the evening, for 3-5 days.  Before applying your Itch Soothe cream, take a warm bath, dry the skin well then rub Itch Soothe cream into the whole body (excluding the face and scalp) until it is fully absorbed.  Avoid contact with the mouth, eyes and eyelids as this may cause inflammation.  You should continue to use your Itch Soothe cream for as long as recommended by your health professional.

How long should you use Itch Soothe?

You should continue to use your Itch Soothe cream for as long as recommended by your health professional.

Missed dose of Itch Soothe

If you miss a dose of Itch Soothe apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to apply the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not apply a double dose.

How should Itch Soothe be stored?

You should store your Itch Soothe below 25°C in a cool dry place. 

References

1. Kittaka H, Yamanoi Y, Tominaga M.  Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel as a target of crotamiton and its bimodal effects.  Pflugers Arch 2017 Oct;469(10):1313-1323.
2. Guilak F, Leddy HA, Liedtke W. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4: The sixth sense of the musculoskeletal system? Ann N Y Acad Sci 2010 Mar;1192:404-9.